SAMURAI Judo Club's production line of national medalists delivered another as Cerys Jones took silver at the British Minors Championships in Edinburgh.

Cerys, aged 11, has just started entering major events and scored a bronze at the Welsh Open and silver at the West Of England Open over the last few months, so the club felt it was worth giving her a shot at the British Championships for her age band. However, she was still one of the least experienced there, so it was felt that even just a single win would be a good result.

Cerys had other ideas and three wins put her into the final against a Scottish player.

She started well and most of the contest was even before the other girl gained a score. Cerys had to chase the contest with the clock ticking down and was eventually caught with a counter to add another score against her, and at time she had lost.

However, it was a close contest and as she is in the first year of this age range, she will have a chance to get the gold next year when the event is held in Cardiff. Meanwhile, she was delighted with her silver for this year.

Cerys has been doing judo for two years but has made rapid progress due to her hard work and dedication. Since she started the sport, the whole family have become judo players. Younger brother Dominic has his first competition coming up next month and is counting the days off until his big day, whilst mum and dad have just passed their first gradings to red belt. They go on the parents session which runs on the secondary mat area at the club whilst Cerys and Dominic train on the main session at the same time.

The day before was the British Masters Championships at the same venue, for veteran players. Rob Alloway fought in the 35-40 years age band and took the bronze medal.

Meanwhile club newcomer Mike Chamberlain, a highly experienced former international player, took gold in the men’s 50-55 years age band.