AFTER one of the most successful years in the club’s history, Samurai Judo Club held their annual awards evening recently.

Darcie Hancocks topped both the club and the Worcestershire county table for most medals won, with 17, with Leah Grosvenor finishing second on 14.

It was the same top two for national and international medals, with Olivia Turner, Hetty Tinsdale, Sian Bobrowska, Nathan Gallacher and Bryony Griffiths tied just behind.

In the awards selected by the coaches, Nathan Gallacher scooped both the performance of the year for demolishing all of Britain’s best players at the Midlands Age Bands and the throw of the year from the North-West Open.

Ben Newbury was runner-up for throw of the year from the Samurai’s Senior High Grades Open, where he threw a fourth level black belt for maximum points with a beautiful leg sweep.

Paul Jones won the prestigious Achievement Of The Year award and overall player of the year, for his gold medal at the British Masters Championships and becoming the first club member to gain the grade of sixth dan.

Stuart Lane won the Rod Lane Awards For Spirit Of Judo for returning to the competition mat after many years absence at the British Masters and taking a bronze.

The trio of James Hemer, Nathan Gallacher and Matt Hemer were named the best team.

Hemer was junior male player of the year, with Darcie Hancocks girl of the year, Paul Jones and Laura Dangerfield were senior male and female players of the year respectively.