FUDOSHIN Ju-Jitsu have held their first inter-club competition at Dorchester Judo Club.

Junior students from local clubs competed against each other in five separate categories – sparring, throwing, ground fighting, an empty hand display and a weapons demonstration.

The competitors were divided into three divisions, the under-8 years, eight years and over junior belts and eight years and over senior belts.

Medals were awarded for first and second place in each division and first and second place trophies were awarded for the two students who gained the most points overall in the tournament.

Sparring for the under-8s and the junior belts was non-contact, with points awarded on a ‘close enough is good enough’ basis. The higher grades wore protective helmets, gloves and footwear and fought full contact.

In the under-8s, both Matthew Mew and Josh McCourtie won all three of their bouts, earning themselves a maximum six points.

In the junior belt division, only James Chambler gained the maximum six points, while Matthew Maton defeated all his three opponents to dominate the senior belt division.

In the senior belt throwing competition, only Charlotte Kibbey won all three of her fights, with two Ippons (full points) and a Wazari (half point). Jack Richards, in the junior belt division, proved himself to be a skilled judoka, winning all three of his bouts with an Ippon.

In the under-8 division, the throwing and ground contest categories were combined into a Sumo tournament. Each competitor having to push, pull or wrestle their opponent out of the circle to win.

In the senior grades weapons display, each competitor chose a different weapon. Max Wright chose the Sai, Kibbey the Nunchaku, Matthew McCourtie the Jo, Josh McCourtie the Wakizashi and Maton the Bokken.

In a close-fought competiton, it was Maton who impressed the judges most.

In the empty-hand category, the senior grades performed Karate patterns to a very high standard, while the under-8s and junior grades put together their own breakfall and striking routines and put on a very energetic display.

The overall winner was Maton, with Chambler a very close second.

At the prize-giving, Shihan Kevin King also awarded Yellow Belt (6th Mon gradings) to Sam Webb and Amelia Burnham before announcing that after a protracted period of assessment he was promoting both Sensei Nick Maton and Sensei Fred Burnham to the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan).

Junior Ju-Jitsu classes run in Dorchester on Monday and Thursday nights at the Judo Club, Sawmills Lane, on Tuesday nights at the Dorchester Sports Centre and the Gryphon Leisure Centre in Sherborne on Thursdays.

Further details can be obtained by telephoning 07593830671 or alternatively emailing worldfudoshin@btinternet.com

You can also visit the website britishfudoshin.co.uk for more information.