MEIJI COMPETE IN HOLLAND

The gold medallists from the Nationals and one of the silver medallists went over to represent the Amateur Judo Association of Great Britain in an International European Judo contest on the 11^th & 12^th May 2002.We departed from Erdington on the 10^th May 2002 at 4.30am we went by coach down to catch the Sea Cat (catamaran) from Harwich over to the hook of Holland.

We arrived at the Hotel which was just out side Eindoven at 14.20hrs on the same day.

(Need I say we went out to the pub that night)? The following morning John Bromwich fought he done extremely well fighting against Black belts and getting through to the semi final taking 4^th place.That was it from the club for that day so back to the hoteland we got our heads down for a couple of hours then showered and again off to hit the town.

We all went out for a Chinese buffet this was an experience in itself one of the nicest Chinese meals I have ever eaten,the beer was nice too.

After that back to the hotel to sample their beer that was also very nice, however the bar man took a shine to one of our groups parents, not me so we had free beer the first night and the second night at the hotel.. We will have to make sure we take that parent member of our team with us next year.

The following day Tom Galway was the first to fight and he fought very hard in his first fight but lost, this knocking him down to the bronze positions as you can not afford to loose any fights in a contest like this. Tom won the next 3 fights and then fought of in the semi finals but got beat taking 4^th place.

Glen Collins was up next Glen was very nervous as this was all new to him as Glen has only been doing Judo for 8 months, Glen fought very hard in all his fights but just couldn’t get in that special throw that he does.

Katherine was one of the last to fight in the whole contest her nerves must have been put to the test having to wait all that time. Again Katherine fought extremely hard and lost her first fight to the girl that went through to take the gold.

Katherine won her next two fights taking her into the fight off in the semi finals

Katherine lost and came 4^th.

We departed the venue at 3pm on the Sunday 12^th May 2002 and arrived back into Erdington On the morning of the 13^th May at 2am very tierd I must say.

All in all a very productive weekend and a very well done to all the fighters.

Maybe next year will be your year.