ANDREA Fani took gold for Samurai Judo Club at the British Schools Championships in Sheffield, with Lucas Kent and Olivia Turner adding bronzes.

The two-day event attracted nearly 700 players from schools all over the country.

There were a dozen good players in Fani’s under 73 kilogram weight category, and all of his contests went the distance, testing his fitness.

After a first-round bye, putting him into the quarter-finals, he won on penalties to reach the semi-finals and then gained a score and held on well to reach the final.

Up against a fellow black belt, a single penalty against his opponent as well as some good tactical work allowed the Samurai man to take the gold and the British title.

His training partner Sam Bravo was in the next weight category up. He started well and also reached the quarter-finals, where a good win by a maximum point throw took him into the semi final.

He put in a spirited displayo against the eventual gold medalist but eventually lost to a good throw and then unfortunately tasted defeat in the bronze play-off, despite dominating the early part of the contest, so finishing fifth.

Kent was unlucky to have to move up a weight category, but started very well with two maximum point wins before losing his semi-final.

But he came back well to take the bronze. Olivia Turner faced an uphill battle, being the youngest, the lightest and the lowest grade in her over 70kg weight category.

However, she battled away with her usual determination and got into the contest for bronze, which she won with two high score throws.

Jake Ashen started well with a maximum point win in his first contest, but then lost and went into the repechage. He clinched the first contest but was caught on the ground in his second against the eventual bronze medalist, finishing seventh. Sophie Deeming-Lane also had a good go, but could not reach the medals. For details about Samurai call 07761 122977.