Murakwai Judo Club win 10 Golds, 11 Silvers & 5 Bronzes at the NI Trials in Derry on Sunday 15th February.
The Veterans (over 30′s) were up first with Simon Mackey being the only competitor from the club fighting. Simon had some massive Ippon throws and some even bigger celebrations on his way to a silver medal in the under 90kg category. He was defeated in the final by Nigel Stewart from Abbey Judo Club.
Next up were the Seniors and a welcomed return to 2 Murakwai players – Adam McCune and Richard Mayne who hadn’t fought for 13 & 9 years respectively. Both won well-deserved bronze medals in the under 66kg & under 81kg categories. There were 2 Gold medals for the club won by coach Scott Mayne in the under 90kgs and Darren Abel, representing Murakwai for the first time, in the under 73kg category. Three of the younger competitors won silvers in their senior categories – Abdul Mohamed (u60kgs), Joe Frey (u66kgs) and Kirsty Kee (u52kgs). There was also a bronze from one of the older players – Simon Mackey (u90kgs) and a 5th place for Alan Kerr who finished just outside the medals in his first competition at 73kgs and since recovering from his serious illness earlier this year.
In the Juniors (u20) there were 3 Golds for Kirsty Kee (u52kgs), Joe Frey (u66kgs) and a remarkable performance from Alan Kerr (u73kgs). Alan looked down and out in the pool stages almost collapsing with exhaustion but somehow managed to pull out 2 magnificent performaces in the semi-final & final to claim Gold in his first competition since recovering from his serious illness. There were also 3 silvers for Lucinda Bell (u52kgs), Rory Kelly (u55kgs) and Abdul Mohamed (u60kgs). Matthew Campbell fought well in his first fight in the under 81kg category but unfortunately had to pull out of the competition with an eye injury.
Last up were the Cadets (u16) who produced some fantastic judo and some excellent results. There were 2 Golds for Robyn Kelly who was not content winning her own weight (u36kgs) she then stepped up to the under 40′s winning Gold in that too. There were also Golds for Caitlan Eachus (u44kgs), Daniel Mayhew (u50kgs) and Rory Kelly (u55kgs). There were also 4 Silver medals in the Cadets for Tori Kee (u32kgs), Jack Eachus (u34kgs), Cameron Kelly (u38kgs) and Chris Connolly (+66kgs) and 2 Bronzes for Daniel Hodgett (u34kgs) and Sophia Campbell (u40kgs). Oliver Fleetham (u38kgs) and Katie Ferguson (u40kgs) both finished just outside the medals in 5th Place.
Congratulations to all Murakwai Players for a fantastic day’s judo!!
Last year we had 18 medals including 9 Golds, this year we have 26 medals including 10 Golds!!