Wow! What a weekend for The Judo Academy and NI Pathway Squad with 4 players representing Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Judo Championships in Malta.
Day 1 saw Aodhan win a bronze medal in the cadet U60kg category. At only 15 years old, competing in the U18 event, Aodhan won 1 fight and gave strong performances against the favourite South Africans. A great experience for the young fighter with plenty more to come from him in the future!
Day 2 saw Ewan, Quinn, and Conall compete in the Junior and Senior categories.
Quinn had a tough morning as his category was amalgamated with the U100kgs. It's tough enough to be 17 years old and compete against 20 year olds, but giving way 10+ kilos was a bridge too far in the Junior category.
Back in the afternoon in the Senior men's U90kg, Quinn won 2 fights against much older and experienced opponents to achieve a magnificent bronze medal to add to the junior bronze medal. Wallace High School and The Judo Academy are very proud of Quinn!
Conall won 2 fights and was narrowly defeated by a strong Indian competitor in the final of the Junior men U66kg category. The Indian team was very strong with a very experienced and formidable team at the event.
Conall, a pupil of De La Salle Belfast, and member of the NI Pathway Squad stepped up to the challenge and brought home a silver medal to add to his collection.
Ewan carried on his great form in the past few months winning 2 fights before succumbing to the Indian competitor in the final. Two wins by Uchi Mata, and by rolling choke respectively showed the work Ewan is putting in on a weekly basis is paying off. Ewan manages his training between Lisburn, Glenavy and Derry, while completing a full time apprenticeship with university study. A great example of perseverance and dedication!
The Judo Academy squad was ably coached by John Murray, Ewan's father who also coaches at The Judo Academy. We are very grateful and lucky to have fantastic support from volunteer coaches as well as so much positive input, patience and trust from the families and siblings that attend the events.
We are also indebted to the financial support from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council through their individual athlete grant scheme. These events would not be possible without this type of support.
Well done everyone!
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