Bradley wins international medal

Bradley weighed in at 62kg so had to move up from Under 60 to the Under 66 kilo category. The organisers then combined the Under 66 with over 66. With twelve months judo experience and his first international event along with being the lightest in his group things were not looking good. It is Coleraine Judo Clubs policy not to diet or restrict natural weight for youth athletes.

Bradley decided he was going to compete as hard as he could. His first fight was against the Scottish number one and eventual gold medallist. Bradley fought well and made life extremely difficult before being countered and thrown. The second fight was the Over 66 entrant from Portugal. Tactics had to play a large part in this fight giving so much weight away. Bradley threw his opponent with a massive counter attack after just 30 seconds. His first international win. This was enough for a semi-final place which was lost to the silver medallist. So a well-earned third place for Bradley against the odds.

After the tournament there was a three-day training camp lead by five high profile coaches: Nuno Delgado (Portugal), Olympic, World & European medallist, Kim Christiansen (Denmark), National Cadet and U20 Coach for Denmark, John Buchanan (GB), Olympian & World medallist, Jesus Perves (Spain), Specialized ground-work expert and João Neto (Portugal) Olympian & World & European medallist. 

This was a fantastic experience for Bradley and his father Gary, the Club’s Performance Coach who assisted the coaches at the camp.

Readers interested in taking up this exciting Olympic combat sport for competition, exercise or just good fun should note that the club is running a 5 week adult (age 14+) beginner class for men and women commencing Friday 19 April 8.30pm-9.30pm in the Leisure Centre. The coach will be the Club’s Performance Gary Jackson 2nd Dan and the fee is a modest £15