Five out of Six at North West Senior Open

In the first major senior judo tournament of the year, held in St.Helens there was some highs and lows for the six players who travelled from Kendal Judo Club.

Aaron Asplin was the high. Fighting in the Kyu Grade Under 66 kilo category he gave away several kilos from his normal competing weight of under 60 kilos to all of his opponents. In his final contest against one of the many foreign entries, Zoljargal Munguntselseg, Aaron was always in charge. His constant attacks paid off in the end with the referee's hand indicating that the Kendal player was the worthy winner of the Gold Medal.

Danny Harper was the low. A refereeing decision in the semi-final of the Under 75 kilo weight group, which even Danny's opponent said was wrong, robbed the Kendal player of a place in the final. Despite several protests the officials would not change their minds so Danny had to be content with a bronze medal fight. This he won against one of the Portuguese national squad Joao Pedro Costa Saldanha with a Seoi Nage and following it down into Mune Gatame hold down for the Ippon.

On the other side of the Under 73 kilo draw brothers Steve and Phil Rogan were competing. Steve had the misfortune to meet up against the two finalists in the early round which put paid to his progress in this his last competition before emigrating to America. Brother Phil on the other hand started badly losing his first fight in the preliminary round. but then made a come back throwing Yorkshireman Ian Willmott and throwing the same Portuguese players that Danny Harper was to beat later on. A throw and a hold against Camberley fighter Harry Fenner put Phil into the semi-final where he lost to British National Squad member David Lamb with just eleven seconds to go. Phil then went on to beat Sharam Derakasondh with a counter technique for Kendal's second bronze in this category.

Nathan Hogg was taking part in his first Senior Dan grade tournament. His preliminary round opponents were quickly dealt with. Thomas Rajsiel was armlocked into submission and Jose Nelio Freitas Teles from Naval de Funchai, Portugal was on the receiving end of a technically perfect Seoi Nage. In the semi-final Nathan was up against the experienced Khalid Gehlan from Scotland who pinned the Kendal player for the win. However Nathan came back in the bronze medal fight to beat Paul Hirst from Haltemprice, Yorkshire.

Michael Horley produced the fastest throw of the day when he beat Ryan Naylor from Scunthorpe in 15 seconds with O Uchi Gari. Steve Cross from Market Bosworth lasted a little longer but still was victim to one of the Kendal player's devastating attacks. This time an O Soto Gari attack for an ippon. He then came up against and held Danny Roberts from the Isle of Man with chest hold (Mune Gatame) and Luke Taylor from the Midlands who was not allowed any openings and was penalised out of the contest for passivity. In the final against Tom Davies from Ealing Michael was thrown early on for a minor score and was playing catchup for the rest of the contest. The result was that he left himself open to another much more significant attack with Hiza Guruma for a wazari and had to be content with the silver medal.

Five medals from six players against some of the top players from home and abroad made it certain that Kendal's name was remembered.