Taking Students to an International Competition is a big deal, but when it's the largest Adaptive competition in the World things are on a much grander scale. For those that don't know, Adaptive is the much more positive wording of Special needs - where athletes and indeed individuals adapt to every day life and the challenges that life throws at them.
The Adaptive world Championships are held every year in Beverwijk, Holland where the Club usually takes 2 members to compete. Due to the Covid-19 situation, the competition has been postponed for the past 2 years and has finally re-opened for all levels of Adaptive Judoka to take part in this amazing 2 day event.
Kazoku-Kan took veteran Judoka Felicity Warburton, 16 years of age and Liam Jones, 18 Years of Age along with first timer, Joshua Warburton, 14 Years of age. Liam was fighting in the 90+ KG Senior category, Felicity in the 85+ KG Senior Category and Joshua was added to the Senior line ups as well due to his height (6 Feet) and weight (80KG+) being fairly higher than the Junior contest levels.
On the Saturday, all 3 were fighting in the Morning tournament with 5 other contestants per category per group. Felicity coming straight off a broken Wrist injury managed to defeat 4 out of her 5 opponents to grab the Silver, Liam coming off a dislocated finger injury managed to surpass all odds to grab the Silver in his category and Joshua in his first ever International tournament managed to grab Bronze. Later in the day, Liam took part in the Nage No Kata event and came second in his category to bag the silver as well.
Day two was held on the Sunday and all 3 were up and fighting again, this time the opponents were different to day one and challenges were intense. Liam fought like a lion on his mat, overcoming men twice his own size to grab the Gold and title of World Champion. Felicity managed to fight her way to the Silver position with her contests in a great set of bouts, with Josh putting on a great effort to gain the Bronze medal in his contests.
Club Coach, Richard Morrish says: "To be there to Coach and support these kids at mat side in these events is both an honour and a privilege and to be part of their Judo journey, there no words, only immense pride. Considering there has been so little opportunity for them to train during the Lockdown periods, these guys smashed it and I couldn't praise them enough." A huge thank you to Tycho Van Der Werff and the team for hosting such a spectacular event and we look forward to seeing all of our Dutch and International friends again very soon.
