A team of nine from our club (plus one from DCHS Judokwai - our new 'sister club') visited Kettering on a warm Spring Sunday to compete in the annual BJC Open National Championships. This is the premier event in the British Judo Council calendar.
We came away with two Gold, three Silver and three Bronze.
The results were Cashew's fifth consecutive Gold as National Champion, Lucy King's first Gold for DCHS Judokwai, Molly's and Laura's Silver and Noah's first ever Silver at a National event. Jay, Jamie and Jamie King all grabbed the Upper Bronze.
Below are videos of some of the contests, both wins and loses. They are worth studying to see what works well and what does not. Particular attention to the times we lost and the lessons that can be learned from them will pay dividends in the long run.
Comments
Video
Elliot
Elliot seems for the most part, subdued. He does not attack aggressively and is mostly defending. He is caught out at the end by a O Uchi Gari which is scored as Ippon.
Elliot
Elliot
In this contest Elliot is doing almost all of the work and is looking very positive. However shortly after a restart, the opponent turns in for a Ippon Seoi Nage but does not have good balance which allows for Elliot to pull him backwards in defence of the attack. It is not clear what happens next but it is possible that Elliot's knee became stuck under the opponents back causing him pain. In any event, the paramedic is called and there is a lengthy examination of some minutes which has been edited from this video. The opponent is okay albeit unable to continue and Elliot wins through Kirken Gache (withdrawal of the opponent).
Elliot
Elliot
In this contest Elliot is being very defending very well but is not attacking (much). It is inevitable that sooner or later one of the attacks from his opponent is likely to come off and this is indeed the case with a Ippon Seoi Nage where the opponent drops to one knee. Wether or not the opponent should have been scored for this or not is arguable (and indeed as to whether he should have received a Shido). But it is the point where, unfortunately, Elliot loses this contest.
Elliot
Jamie
We join this contest with Jamie already a Wazari up but just as he is also being given a Shido. We do not know what for.
Upon restarting, Jamie immediately attacks his opponent and brings him to the ground for no score but secures a hold which the opponent can not escape from.
Jamie
Jamie
Jamie's opponent eventually won Gold in this championship so unfortunately, Jamie, loses to him. Jamie is first bought down by a nice foot sweep which is scored as Yuko. However, the next throw, a O Uchi Gari which is scored as Wazari proves decisive as it allows the opponent to gain a hold from which Jamie can not escape.
Jamie
Jay
Straight from the start, Jay attacks his opponent with O Soto Gari which is scored as a Wazari and without any delay, secures the hold but after only a few seconds, the opponent submits. A good start to Jay's campaign.
Jay
Jay
Unfortunately, we join this contest half way through where Jay is already on the ground in a hold. He struggles valiantly using mostly the right techniques to try and escape but the hold is on to tight and he is unable to get away before the contest is lost.
Jay
Jonah
Jonah attacks early with his Ippon Seoi Nage combined with Ko Uchi Gake. To some surprise (bearing in mind that he has been using this as his Toku Waza - favorite technique for almost two years) he is penalised with a Shido for this. He then attacks with Ippon Seoi Nage and gains the Ippon.
Jonah
Jonah
Jonah and his opponent have come up against each other several times before. So far, Jonah has always won. In this contest however, it is clear that the opponent has taken the knowledge gained from previous contests and is keeping himself well clear of Jonah's favourite technique, the Ko Uchi Gake.
The opponent attacks consistently, usually trying for an over the shoulder grip and a hip throw. However, on one occasion his over the shoulder grip is to much 'over the shoulder' and he is penalised with a Shido for a Kubi Nage. Jonah is not exempt. He is given a Shido for not taking a standard grip upon Hajime. Then the opponent is given another Shido for an incorrectly tied belt. That leaves Jonah one Yuko up.
After a while, Jonah does pull off a throw which gives him the second Shido and in so doing, appears to injure his opponent. However, the opponent recovers the contest continues. There is no further scores however before the time runs out and Jonah is declared the winner due to the two Yuko to none.
Jonah
Jonah
Jonah is attacked aggressivly by this opponent and is almost caught off balance as a result. However, Jonah manages to recover and then controls his opponent better. The opponent makes an attack with Ko Soto Gari which Jonah counters with Uchi Mata (his first use of this technique in competition) and throws his opponent and immediatly secures a hold but this is unnecessary as the throw is scored as Ippon.
Jonah
Jonah
In the final Jonah takes control from the off. He fends off his opponents attacks and then turns in for Ippon Seoi Nage and throws for Ippon.
Clearly very chuffed at his 5th consecutive Gold in National Competition he waits to be awarded his medal.
Jonah
Jonathon
Early on in this contest Jonathon's opponent puts his arm to far around Jonathon's shoulder and is given a Shido for a Kubi Nage (attempt at neck throw). Upon resuming there is a lot of pulling around with little result until Jonathon pulls off a nice Tai Otoshi for a score of Wazari but immediately follows through into a hold which goes to the count and with which he wins this contest.
Jonathan
Jonathon
In this contest Jonathon holds on with his arms wrapped around his opponents body for some sections of the fight. The problem with this is that it makes it much easier to throw Jonathon. This is what happens within the first minute and Jonathon ends up on the ground in a hold. However, after a few seconds, he escapes.
Jonathon doesn't adapt and continues with this almost 'bear hug' grip and as a consequence, finds it hard to effect a throw of his own. Upon restarting at one point, the opponent fails to take a proper grip and is given a Shido.
Jonathon's 'bear hug' type grip results in him being pulled down to the ground whereupon the opponent obtains a hold and Jonathon' is unable to escape.
Jonathan
Noah
Whilst Noah starts very well showing refusal to be intimidated by his opponent, he does get caught out very early on with a foot sweep. However, he manages to spin very quickly and land substantially on his front so that no score is given for the throw.Upon restarting the opponent indulges in a bit of grip-fighting which is contrary to the current BJC Contest Rules and is given a Shido. Upon restarting, the opponent manages to throw Noah, unfortunately, off camera, and it is scored as a Yuko.Nah manages to resist all the attacks on the ground and continues to carry out a variety of attacks of his own throughout the contest, however the opponent manages to catch Noah with a perfect foot sweep and Noah lands flat on his back for the Ippon score.
Noah
Noah
Noah wins this contest in the first three seconds as the opponent attacks with what looks like an O Uchi Gari but fails to break Noah's balance properly allowing Noah to counter with Ko Soto Gari bringing the opponent down for Ippon.
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