Millennium League 2008 - 1st Round

The Girls Competition Report  by Emma Doherty


On the 27th of January Croydon had a team of 4 girls (as well as the boys) taking part in the first round of the Millennium League at Donyngs Leisure Centre in Redhill.

The girls fought first and came away with four medals. Ilona Onyago fought superbly in the -57 category, winning two of her three fights with a maximum score of ippon (10 points) to come away with a silver.

We then had Sophie Roots fighting in the -40 category. She won her first fight with a yuko (five points). Unfortunately in her second fight she lost to a higher graded opponent. In her last fight Sophie had to fight a girl two weight categories above her. Although this would not affect Sophies medal position she went out with a positive attitude and while putting up a good fight was eventually beaten by her opponents superior weight and strength. This left Sophie with a well deserved silver medal.

Our last two girls, Holly and Betsy, were both in the -36 category. Betsy, although fighting to an excellent standard was overcome with the experience of her first competition and came away with a 5th place. However, the tournament director was so impressed with Betsy's performance that he awarded her with a bronze medal. Our eldest player Holly took a silver after losing her first fight to a leg-sweep and some very slippery mats.

Although Croydon doesn't have the largest girls team they make up for this in the quality of their Judo.