South Brent Judo Club’s biggest ever squad headed to the British Judo Pre Cadet and Cadet Champion­ships in Sheffield.

The event was the highlight of the domestic judo calendar, with medals, national ranking points, dan grade points and places on next year’s England squad all up for grabs – quite literally.

Day one was the turn of the cadet boys.

For several of the judoka it was their first competition as a cadet, and with it came the introduction of arm-locks and strangles.

Five cadet boys – Kolya Schwinge, Davy Grey, Tom Smith, Lewis Widdicombe and Adam Widdicombe – all rose to the challenge of fighting the best in the country.

Tom Smith (under 46kg) from Ivybridge Com­munity College came seventh and earned 25 ranking points. Adam Whitfield (U73kg) from Ivybridge missed out narrowly on a bronze and came fifth to pick up 50 ranking points.

In the U81kg category, Lewis Widdi­combe, also from ICC, came seventh and earned 25 ranking points in his new weight group.

On day two came the turn of the cadet girls and pre-cadet boys.

Cerys Callard (U40kg) from Kingsbridge Commu­nity College fought with determination to win bronze and earn 100 national ranking points. Scarlet Hodge (U48kg) and Libby Daymond (U52kg) of King Edward VI Community College fought brilliantly but ­finished just outside the medals.

The pre-cadet boys were Josh Shipp (U38kg), Pierre Mich­elin (U60kg) and Adam Vosper (U42kg). Pierre and Adam, both from ICC, finished fifth and seventh respectively.

The following weekend Tom Ingram (U66kg) represented SBJC at the Junior British Championships.

Tom entered the competition as one of the highest-ranked players in the country, so expectation was high. He won five of his seven contests on the day to place a well- earned seventh. This was a fantastic result, as he also was awarded 25 ranking points and the final 40 points needed for his competitive first dan or black belt.

The coaches and ­parents are extremely proud of the effort and commitment shown by the SBJC judoka.

If you would like to find out more about the club, visit southbrent

judoclub.weebly.com.