Chloe Lymer maintained her impressive run of results with a gold medal at the Surrey Kyu grade open on 11 Feb. Chloe defeated several heavier players in a combined group to clinch the top spot.
Chloe also contested the English Open in London on 24 February, but finished outside the medals on this occasion.
Court Lane Judo Club returned to competition after a long hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, when three players entered the 2022 Hampshire Closed.
Lewis Hook secured gold in his category, winning all his fights with ippon.
Chloe Lymer fought in a group where three three different weight groups were combined, securing a silver medal.
Michael Churcher made his full senior debut, and had seven excellent contests. Michael beat some higher graded players and was unlucky to just miss out on a medal.
Well done everyone!
Thanks also to the players who made the effort to come along and support – it was greatly appreciated.
Tomorrow sees Court Lane players officially return to the competition mat for the first time since Covid, when they compete in the Hampshire Closed in Eastleigh.
Wishing Michael, Chloe and Lewis the best of luck!
We will update throughout the day on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
On the eve of the Hampshire Closed, I would usually be writing to wish our players good luck. Or to remind people that clocks change tomorrow and to not be late for the weigh-in.
But not today. Covid-19 has changed everything.
The Club is currently closed. Officially until after Easter holidays, but until at least June if we are being realistic. Personally, I think September is more likely by the time we add in summer holidays (remember those?).
We have not been able to say goodbye to John Luijken before he and his family move abroad.
We did manage to get in to clean and disinfect the mats before the school was closed. Thanks to Kev and Craig as always for their help.
The Hampshire Closed has been cancelled, as has the Southern Area teams tournament. The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed until 2021.
Thankfully as we only hire the hall on an hourly basis from the school, we are not exposed to the same cashflow risks that clubs who own their premised are exposed to. (And I never thought I would be grateful for not having our own dojo, but always something to be glad about if you look!).
If you are online shopping, don’t forget that you can raise funds for the club at the same time via Easyfundraising – use this link to register: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/courtlanejudoclub/?invite=3H5QVP&referral-campaign=c2s and we will receive an extra donation when your donations reach £5. We have 19 supporters currently – 8 of whom who have never shopped via Easyfundraising. It’s easy, free and doesn’t cost you a penny more.
Community groups are going to be vital as we go through this crisis. You can help to strengthen not only us but the wider community if you play the Portsmouth Lottery. Tickets can be purchased via this link, https://www.portsmouthlottery.co.uk/support/court-lane-judo-club
It is important that everyone stays fit and as healthy as possible – we have posted links in the Facebook group to various resources from Sport England and British Judo. No doubt some of you are working out with Joe Wicks every morning! Maintaining your physical health will help to keep you mentally healthy – again, a lot of support is being signposted towards support in this area.
To those who are essential workers, in the NHS, social care, keeping our food shelves stocked – we thank you for your efforts, stay safe, we will all do our best not to put extra stress on you.
Take care everyone, and we will see you on the other side.
Michael was our sole representative at this year’s National Championships, following in the footsteps of Brett Caswell, Andy Gould, Lewis Dolman and Ben Garside. Michael went toe to toe with those seeking to establish themselves as the best in the country.
Despite having fought for most of the year at -73kg, Michael managed to slip in to the -66kg category. This category was made up of 48 players, so a real test of character!
A bye in the first round secured automatic progression to the second round. A loss here by two waza-aris put Michael in to the repechage.
A great ippon throw to win secured progression through to the next contest, where Michael was ultimately armlocked by a Dan grade player.
Overall, a very credible performance from Michael, with a lot of positives and some areas to improve on ready for next year.
Chloe Lymer and Michael Churcher have been busy on the competition trail again.
Both Michael and Chloe competed in the South Coast Pre Cadet and Cadet Open.
This provided a tough challenge for Chloe, against some very aggressive competitors. Chloe scored a fantastic win against one of her Hampshire rivals, but, at the end of the pool, results were level between three of the four competitors.
Consequently, Chloe had to refight two of her three matches, to determine 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. This time Chloe delivered an even more emphatic victory (16 seconds) to secure a well deserved 3rd place.
Disappointingly Michael wasn’t given the same chance to shine, with a much smaller entry in his category than we were expecting. However, you can only fight who is put in front of you, and Michael returned with another silver medal to add to his growing collection.
Chloe then travelled to High Wycombe to compete in the NHC qualifier for the British Schools. An on fire Chloe swept her way to victory, defeating both an orange belt and a green belt (two whole belts higher!) on her way to a gold medal.
Chloe Lymer maintained her run of success when she joined Holbrook Judo Club at a recent event run by Southampton Samurai judo club.
Three wins in ne-waza secured Chloe a well deserved gold medal. Even more impressive as Chloe doesn’t usually like groundwork.
Chloe will be competing this weekend along side Michael Churcher, at the Sussex Precadet and Cadet open
It may have been half term, but Court Lane players have been putting the miles in on the competition circuit.
Chloe Lymer and Michael Churcher both competed in this well attended event.
Chloe added another bronze to her collection, scoring from her favourite throw tai-otoshi and also winning a contest in ne-waza; an area of judo that Chloe has been working hard to improve, so a great result all round.
Chloe’s medal was presented by 9th Dan Dave Starbrook MBE OLY, who won Britain’s first Olympic Judo medals in 1972 and 1976. Starbrook had delivered a masterclass and coaching workshop to Hampshire players the day before.
Mike was also in action, contesting the senior weight groups. Mike gave a good account of himself in a category dominated by 1st kyu and Dan grade players, but was unable to progress to the medal stages on this occasion.
As part of his build up to the National Championships, Mike competed in yesterday’s Welsh Open. This was as a bench marking exercise to identify the level of competition and areas where Mike needs to improve prior to entering the Nationals.
Michael Churcher added another senior medal to his growing collection with a silver medal at the NHC Kyu Grade Open at High Wycombe on Sunday 13 October.
This is part of Mike’s build up to the national championships at the end of November, beginning of December. Along the way he will compete in the Hampshire Open, and Cadet championships in Southern Area and Wales.
Before that he is competing alongside Chloe Lymer in this weekend’s regional schools qualifier in Kent. Good luck to you both!
The Hampshire Judo organised event on Sunday 7 July saw Court Lane players medal in all three categories.
Jonty Bassil finally secured his first gold medal in the men’s 1st kyu and above competition. Three fine ippons also saw him pick up 30 points towards his Dan grade.
Brother and sister Ben and Chloe Lymer both fought in the junior red & yellow belt competition. This was Ben’s first event, and he did well to hold his own in a surprisingly aggressive group. Chloe battled back from a loss in her first fight to collect a silver medal like her brother.
Michael Churcher continued his transition across to adult judo competing in the men’s blue and under competition. He beat off a strong challenge from a Scorpion player, throwing and holding for a cumulative score. Osaka’s Harrison Grist was once again Mike’s nemesis, leaving Mike in a well deserved 2nd place.
Well done everyone.
