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Wandsworth boys and Sutton
girls were crowned winners of the judo finals at the Balfour Beatty
London Youth Games in Crystal Palace on Saturday.
With 26 boroughs represented
it was Wandsworth and Sutton who come to the fore to successfully
defend their respective team titles in the boys and girls’ competitions,
which they won at the Youth Games last year.
Behind Wandworth boys were
Greenwich in second and Sutton in third, while Croydon (silver)
and Hillingdon (bronze) finished behind Sutton in the girls’ event.
Eric Bonti, Wandsworth
boys’ team manager, said: “I’m really pleased for the boys, it’s
a fantastic team effort, and everybody just gave 100 per cent
on the day so it’s fantastic. It’s really well done to equal our
success from last year as well.
“It was tough to come back
as reigning champions and Sutton once again pushed us very hard,
but we got in front and had to stay in front, which we managed
to do.
“The teamwork impressed
me, not all of them got medals but some of them got places, and
they supported each other fantastically. They work very hard in
the dojo every day, so their work ethic was great.
“This year as well the
girls have done the best they have ever done in the girls’ competition
so Wandsworth is building and judo is looking very good in the
borough.”
Andy Ede, Sutton girls’
team manager, said: “I am really pleased; it’s two in a row for
the girls. All the girls worked really hard. It’s a very good
standard, so it’s good for them. They keep working hard and keep
coming back to defend the title.
“It’s also great for the
London Borough of Sutton to come top again. We have had lesser
competitors this year, but some of our previous competitors are
now representing the England team, so some of these fighters can
hopefully use the London Youth Games as a stepping stone.
“We could do with getting
a few more girls involved and come back stronger next year.”
Karen French, British Judo’s
London Development Manager, said: “The judo event is constantly
growing and the passion and team camaraderie gives the day a great
atmosphere – especially as this year was very much a multisport
event at Crystal Palace with trampolining on the top balcony,
water polo in the pool, handball in the sports dome and Super
8 Athletics on the track.
“The feeder events which
are aimed at Novice to 6th mon start again next month, with the
first being held in East London on 16th July – These are aimed
to give clubs and Boroughs the ability to give young people the
first step on a competitive pathway and prepare them for the LYG’s
2012 entry.
“The London Youth Games
also act as a training ground for the next round of Volunteers
and participants from Royal Docks School – Newham who took part
in the TOCS course were present at the event along with youngsters
from Northbrook JC in Bromley who have supported the growth of
young referees.
“Our London development
team is able to identify and work with Boroughs on judo development
from events such as the Youth Games and create new clubs and activity
in judo deficient areas.”
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