SAMURAI Judo Club's Jake Ashen secured a career-best medal to date with bronze at the Welsh Open Judo Championships.

Since joining the club four years ago, Jake has come close on several occasions, twice finishing fifth at the British Championships, but until now that major medal has eluded him.

He had a strong field in this event, but started well with a good win against a Spanish player. In his second round contest he suffered his only defeat of the day against a very good London player, which left him in the repechage, where one more defeat would eliminate him.

He started well with a good win against a Welsh player, then had an excellent win against a player from Berkshire’s Pinewood club before coming up against another Spanish player in the bronze contest.

Jake started slowly and picked up two penalties, but then got into gear and dominated the contest. His opponent picked up three penalties, which made Jake the winner and the bronze medalist.

Samurai star Leah Grosvenor started well, with maximum point wins against players from Scotland and Northen Ireland to take her into the semi-finals.

She lost after seven minutes of sudden death judo and had to settle for bronze which leaves her just one medal short of a place in the all-time top five Samurai players for national and international medals.

She maintained her first place in the British rankings with a huge gap in ranking points to her nearest rival.

Another leading club member, Olivia Turner, also started well, winning her first contest against a London player with a superb shoulder throw and reaching the semi-finals.

However she was beaten by a player from Cornwall and also had to settle for bronze.