Azhar Baree scooped bronze fighting at -38kg at today’s Hampshire Closed, his only losses being to the eventual gold and silver medallists. Along the way, Azhar delivered a powerful ippon seoinage to ko uchi combination to secure his exit from the pool stage to the knockout.

A determined performance from Jack Rogerson saw him fight through to a bronze medal contest in a large -30kg category. Jack was unable to overcome his final opponent, being thrown for ippon.

Fighting alongside Jack were Mieszko Polak and Marcus Tree, who both delivered excellent performances.

Joel Bassil was on excellent form in the lightest -27kg category, winning his first fight by yuko before scoring ippon with o soto guruma in his second contest. His third fight was hotly contested, Joel just being edged out, before he scored a huge ippon in his fourth. Frustratingly, his efforts were to no avail, as a combined score of 25 points was not enough to lift him from his pool into the knockout, other players with the same winning ration having scored 30 and 27 points.

Jonty Bassil was our final competitor, at -50kg. Despite giving away several inches, Jonty started strongly, and took the fight to his opponent before being held for ippon. Unfortunately Jonty was thrown and injured in his second fight. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Today’s results marked a massive improvement from the same tournament last year, with all players making serious challenges and showing how hard work and self belief pays off.