Osaka Kwai Judo Club enjoyed a successful weekend at their penultimate competition of the year with an incredible three gold medals.
Making the trip to Livingston on Saturday, October 26, three young Osaka judokas, along with their coach John Robertson, arrived at Craigswood Sports Centre at 8am for the early start.
First up, Liam Foy, 10, got off to a flyer in his opening bout to secure an early win and get the confidence flowing before going on to win the club’s first gold of the day in emphatic fashion.
Joe Butler, 9, was next up for Osaka and he too started the day positively with a comfortable win before he picked up an injury in his second bout which required extensive treatment.
And while this would be enough to put most kids off, Joe came roaring back onto the mat for his third match with a renewed determination to clinch a hard-fought gold - Osaka’s second of the day.
Last, but by no means least, Skye Kane, 12, rounded off the day for Osaka with another fantastic gold medal.
Fresh from a disappointing Hibari Kan Open bronze back in September, Skye moved up an age band and had taken all advice on board, showing a great attitude throughout to win all of her matches and round the day off on a positive note for the club.
Coach Robertson, who volunteers at the club, said: “I was really pleased with the effort and application from our judoka.
“Their hard work was well-rewarded and they epitomised judo ethics by striving to improve throughout.”
Osaka’s young judokas will now get the chance to test themselves against some of the country’s best as Scotland’s National Championships gets underway at Ravenscraig this Saturday.
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