Judo players bring home medals

Eight members of Woy Woy Judo Club have competed in the state selection tournament in Sydney.

They won three gold medals and three silver medals for the club in the second selection round and four gold, two silver and two bronze in the third round.

Woy Woy Judo Club secretary Ms Lindy Simmons said the members had all worked hard to achieve the results.

The first part of the selection tournament took place on November 25 last year at the Judo NSW Challenge in Olympic Park Sports Hall.

The second selection was held on February 17.

"The boys Under-13s Dominic Daquin achieved a bronze medal, while teammate Cameron Campbell gained a silver medal in the less-than-30kg division," Ms Simmons said.

"Our only under-13 girl Caitlin Grosse scored a five-point throw to win gold.

"The 2007 national bronze medalist in the Under-13s Kieren Handley has this year gone up into the Under-16s boys and is proving to be quite comfortable in a higher weight division.

"Kieren won the gold in this selection tournament.

"Mat Cheesman's has put himself in good contention by winning the silver medal in a repeat performance of the first selection.

"Kayla Wells in the under-63kg junior women's division took gold, then went up into the under-70kg and attained the silver medal."

The third and final selection tournament was held on March 9, at Bankstown Sports Youth Club due to the closure of Olympic park for the set up of the Royal Easter Show.

"All eight competitors had a minimum of two bouts with the exception of Jordan Smith in the Under-16 under-73kg division, who had four," Ms Simmons said.

"Jordan won all four bouts with all his opponents unable to get a point against him."

The final medal tally was four gold, two silver and two bronze.

All members who achieved a first, second or third place at the selections will attend a compulsory training camp on April 12 and 13, in Wollongong.

The qualifying member will then begin state squad training from April 21, over a seven-week period.

The Australian National Judo Titles will be held in Castle Hill on June 7 to 9.

Press release, 20 March 2008 Lindy Simmons, Woy Woy Judo Club