The 2011 National Teams Champions provided a thrilling day of judo as the areas battled for glory at a teeming EIS Sheffield on Saturday 9 July.

As one of the most atmospheric events on the calendar this year’s event lived up to high expectations in a truly scintillating affair as players, club members and coaches urged on their highly-motivated colleagues.

In the junior categories London and Midlands battled it out in both the men’s and women’s finals.

London’s junior women’s team edged their Midlands counterparts on points after seven contests produced three wins for each team and a draw.

The winning London team featured 2011 European Cadet Championship bronze medallist Hayley Willis, Harkirat Sekhon, Roxanne Bakker, Amy Thompson, Nekoda Davis, Prisca Awiti and Lucy Chamberlain.

Bronze medals went to the Northern Home Counties and the Western Area.

Junior Women winners London

Midlands avenged that defeat in the junior men’s final with an emphatic victory.

Their high-flying team featured Max Stewart, Joe Young, Joel Ghylfert, Josh Hill, Kyle Sweet, Seb Green and James Gallacher.

1988 Seoul Olympics bronze medallist Dennis Stewart, a member of the Midlands coaching delegation, said: “We’ve got a lot of new boys and girls in the team today, we have players who’ll stay in the team for about two or three years and move onto the senior stage and then we’ll bring new talent through.

“London are always the favourites, they’re a consistent team and produce a lot of good talent. The trick is not necessarily having the best players but striking a good balance and London certainly had that.”

Dennis’ son Max, winner of three Junior European Cup’s this year and ranked European number one, was a member of both the Midlands junior and senior men’s teams.

"I thought Max might be a bit tired today but he had some good matches, it’s good experience for him as he continues to make a breakthrough this year. “

Bronze medals went to the South and West Areas.

Junior Men winners the Midlands

The senior categories, which featured five judoka in each team, saw Scotland bidding to retain their women’s title against the Midlands while their men’s team took on reigning champions North West.

The Midlands were triumphant in the women’s category as Scotland’s depleted ranks saw only three of them bow off after the final.

Midlands judoka and British international Sarah Biles said: “Scotland were the reigning champions and very strong opposition despite their injuries and depleted numbers so we’re all very pleased with the result.”

The North and East Areas claimed bronze with 2011 VI World Games silver medallist Lesley Reid competing for the latter.

Senior Women winners the Midlands

Scotland’s senior men’s team defeated the North West to clinch the title after some fascinating contests between a string of British internationals.

Scotland’s James Millar said: “The event went really well for us, we some had injuries in the build-up so to come down and take the gold, we’re all very happy.”

The 2011 Estonia World Cup bronze medallist added: “We come down to win it, and we beat a very strong team in the current champions North West – they had a lot of strong names, it was hard, but today we got the result.”

The Midlands and Combined Services took bronze.

Senior Men winners Scotland