A Welsh judoka is celebrating a double success after taking gold at the inaugural Barlestone Club Championships just 24 hours after passing his 4th kyu grading.
Picture courtesy of Mark Pickering
Mark Pickering, 26, from Pencoed, Bridgend, is the media officer at the British Judo Association – the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport in Great Britain – and has embraced the sport since taking up the role in 2010.
The former Porthcawl Town footballer, who passed his 4th kyu grading on Friday to seal a promotion from a yellow to orange belt, was one of the club’s eight senior judoka who took part in the competition on Saturday in Leicestershire.
Of the eight judoka, Mark held the second lowest grade but despite giving up experience and nous to grades including two 1st kyu judoka, the Loughborough-based writer swiftly moved into medal contention.
The Welshman won his pool with two victories and moved forward to a second and final pool where he reeled off three more triumphs with all wins coming by way of ippon, the maximum score which immediately ends the contest.
The newly-crowned Barlestone Club Champion said: “I’m delighted to win gold, my goal was to win a medal so to top the medal rostrum was fantastic and topped a perfect weekend having graded on Friday.
“The Club Championships were a great event to be part of, I have to thank the club and the coaches and for their fine efforts in delivering such an enjoyable and successful event.”
Former British international and Barlestone head coach Wayne Lakin said: “Mark did really well, he worked hard and really utilised his ashi-waza (foot techniques) well and I have to thank him for volunteering as a table official for the junior competition.”
-Mark Pickering
An Early Bath 
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