TAVISTOCK based Drake Judo Club have returned from the Cadet and Pre-Cadet British Championships in Sheffield having made history.

Held at the English Institute of Sport over two days, the event brought together the best youngsters from the UK, with DJC bringing a team of seven players ranging from 13 to 16 years.

The team showed determination and put in some superb performances.  Jake Brown, Tyla-Jane Slater and Bogdan Losonczi all finished within the top 10 of their groups. Alanna Hopkins finished fourth in hers with Charlotte Hay and Reuben Frise both finishing in fifth places after some excellent efforts.

Cordelia Gregory, aged 16, cruised through to the final where she dispatched her opponent in 10 seconds to become British champion for the fourth time in her short career thus far.  Due to her success at this level, Cordelia will also contest the junior and senior British Championships next weekend, for which she has recently received funding to assist her from  the Devonport Royal Dockyard Sports and Social Fund.

The players were coached and supported over the weekend by DJC coaches Gary Gregory and club chairman Ross Taylor. Ross Taylor said he was incredibly proud of all of them. 

Paying tribute to Cordelia Gregory he added: ‘I first met Cordelia when she was a shy eight year old and to see her now as a four times national champion is a very emotional experience.  Her coach (and father) Gary has worked so hard with her over the last eight years and it is marvellous to see the fruits of their labour come to fruition.’