Wymondham make good impression in Sheffield judo championships

Wymondham Judo Club were on impressive form at the British Schools' National Individual Judo Championships in Sheffield.

A squad of 11 Wymondham fighters took on the country's elite at the English Institute of Sport Arena and rose to the occasion, returning with one British champion, two bronze medallists and five fifth places.

Ashley Harrop (Wymondham High School) managed to go all the way in style, defeating every opponent from a large group with ippon throws - equivalent to a boxing knockout. He even took less than a minute to dispatch his opponent in the final, with one of the most impressive throws of the day.

Alexander Tonnison (Wymondham High) and Megan Wolstenholme (Wymondham College) each took bronze, while debut makers Wymondham High School pupil Nick Parker and Long Stratton High's Lewis Bull had some impressive wins before bowing out ahead of the medal rounds.

Wymondham High's Kiya Claydon also left early after being injured out by an opponent she was beating - who eventually won silver.

Sherridan Dye (Old Buckenham High), Amelia Sturdy (Wymondham College), Adam Claydon and Laurence Oakes (Wymondham High) all competed well in just missing out on the medals.

River Morris (Hethersett High) also earned fifth but although a neck injury brought no lasting damage, it did deny her an almost guaranteed bronze medal.

Head coach Chris Claydon said: "This was a really impressive event and each of the players was a great credit to their club and respective schools. We're all really proud of them, and look forward to attending the 2011 event and hopefully improve on these already fantastic results."

Wymondham High also had reason to smile, leaving the competition as one of the top five schools in the UK after its results.