Judo: A walk for the Park!

Jun 20 2007 By The Evening Chronicle

The Parks Judo Club in North Shields finished among the medals after competing in the annual Venray Tournament for the first time in three years.

Although eight-year-old Eliott Milburn and William Ogle, seven, put in good performances, it was nine-year-old Natasha Fraser who was the highlight of the first day of competition, bringing home the bronze medal in the under 28kg category. Sixteen-year-old Gary Stewart's competition was ended by a knee injury early on day two, leaving Ian Hepple as the last medal hope.

Returning to this level of competition after a year's absence Hepple, 19, won his first three bouts of the day.

Against a much larger opponent. he was unlucky in missing out on the final after being thrown for a minor score and a narrow defeat.

Hepple returned to form by claiming a well-deserved bronze.