THE British National Championships saw Samurai Judo Club return home with three medals from their five competitors, including gold for Loic Keasey.

Loic, aged 12 and competing in this age band for the first time, had a bye in the first round and then won in tremendous style by beating a player from the north of England in less than half a minute with a spectacular shoulder throw.

This put him into the semi-final against a Welsh player, Loic was always in control and threw his opponent for maximum points with a backwards throw.

The final against a London player was less than half a minute old when he used the backward throw again for yet another maximum point score and the gold medal.

Both throws were ones he has been practicing with his personal coach Matt Ruff, who has been working with him for five years.

Olivia Turner was up against heavier players the open weight category, she faced a player from the north in her first contest and took a superb win by maximum points on the ground.

This also put her into the semi-final against the Devon player who beat her in the semi-final of the Welsh Open recently. This time Olivia dominated the match and eventually another excellent groundwork move gave her the win and a place in the final.

The final, against a London player, Olivia came closest to scoring at the start with a shoulder throw, but as the contest wore on the substantial weight difference began to tell and she began to tire. With scores even at the end of normal time, the contest went into extra time and eventually a penalty for passivity was given against Olivia and she had to settle for silver.

Leah Grosvenor started well with two maximum point wins taking her into the semi-final of her category. She dominated the gripping and attacking here but was caught by a counter-throw to one of her attacks and was unable to equalize. She won the bronze play-off by another maximum point score.

There were several good wins from Jake Ashen and Cerys Jones also put in a good performance. Both finished seventh in their categories.

These results can be added to the two golds the Samurai club won at the British Minors Championships (for younger players) from James Harrison and Harry Ashen, and the six medals at the British Veterans including a gold from Gary Knight.