British Judo’s Paralympic Programme Manager praised his visually impaired squad last week after four of them competed in the Northern Home Counties Senior and Veterans Open on Sunday 13th February.

Competing against sighted players at the High Wybombe Judo Centre was Joe Ingram, Lesley Reid, Darren Harris and Daniel Powell.

Rising star Lesley Reid, took double gold on the day, the first in the senior +78kg competition and the second in the women’s +70kg veterans competition.

Reid, who won a silver medal at the 2010 World Championships, won a total of five fights on the day.

Joe Ingram, who won a silver medal at the 2011 VI German Open in January, won the -100kg gold medal.

Ingram (1st Dan) saw off challenges from four players, including 4th Dan Richard Hobbs from London.

Sanders said, “Excellent performances from Joe and Lesley throughout the day, both winning all of their contests in emphatic style.

“Dan Powell and Darren Harris also fought in the competition and put in strong performances against their sighted counterparts and were unlucky not to walk away with medals.

“All the VI players continue to prepare for the World Games in April in Turkey and the European Championships in November in Crawley.”

Elsewhere in the senior men’s competition, Northern Home Counties very own Ronnie Plumb took gold in +100kg weight category and Scotland’s Scott Imrie took gold in the -81kg competition, as did sister Emma Imrie in the senior women’s -52kg.

In the Veteran’s competition Joyce Malley of the Midlands won the -70kg competition, which also saw Kim Tilley, who finished in 5th place at the 2009 European Championships for Veterans, win bronze.

Andrew Morris, 2010 British Open for Grand Masters silver medallist, won the -90kg category for +45years.

FULL RESULTS:

Senior Men

Senior Women

Veteran Women

Veternan Men (35-44)

Veteran Men (45+)