2004 NHC Four Squad Members
MICHAEL’S MAGIC
With new found confidence Michael and fellow competitors attended the Northern Home Counties Trials. This is a selection event for the British Cadet Nationals at the end of the year. Players who come first and second are selected to represent their area in the National event at Stoke-On-Trent to earn a place on the British Cadet Team. Competition was strong with players from major clubs in London in attendance, from the Tendring Team four players stepped up to the challenge, Michael Pedder, Kirsty and Hannah Adams and Jodie RobertsFor the twins it was their second time, having qualified last year and narrowly missed out on the medals at the Nationals in 2003. For Jodie it was her first bite of the cherry.
After some time waiting Michael was called up to fight in the under 50kg category, usually being drawn against older and higher graded players, this time was no exception. Michael was to fight a bigger boy of superior strength. Not being deterred Michael began strong not allowing his opponent to dominant the fight, as the fight continued frustration set in on his opponent and making a mistake Michael capitalised with a sacrifice throw that was very hard to do successfully but Michael performed it to an excellent level.
Having thrown his opponent he then held him down for an exciting and breath taking 25seconds to win. Having only one big opponent in his group Michael has successfully qualified for the nationals in the number 1 position. Kirsty’s story was happy and sad not having to fight to qualify being the only person in her weight group her grade, but this means that she qualifies automatically for the Nationals and she is aiming to medal at the event, to finally earn her place on the team.
Her sister and Jodie were unlucky to be in the same weight and year group, after there first round fights both the girls left themselves a lot to do, as the only spots open are one and two. The girls had to fight each other, which is a coaches nightmare as this fight and the next would decide which out of the two would go through as number two.
After a well fought fight Hannah won with a full score throw. After this Hannah continued on her winning streak to win the next fight after a loss in the first round fight. Jodie although fought hard was not lucky enough to win her next fight. This left her in the 3rd spot. Mark Smith coach said they fought well at a very high pressure event with such a prize on the line it always produces high quality judo. For Jodie she will be back next year to claim her place on the Northern Home Counties Team. As for the three that qualified, their support team and myself hope they can go one better at the nationals and win a medal.
