Stuart McWatt finally takes British title at season closer

British fans were treated to another fantastic weekend of judo action at the 2019 Junior and Senior British Championships at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Stuart McWatt displayed a masterclass while asserting his dominance in the -81kg category to claim his first Senior British Championship title.

McWatt, a 2019 Word Championship representative and 7th placed finisher at the European Games earlier this year, was rarely challenged in topping the podium ahead of European Junior Championship bronze medallist Lachlan Moorhead, who also claimed silver in the Junior category, and Christopher Kumesu-Egri and Scott Cusack.

In the -73kg category, Daniel Powell was in imperious form in claiming the Senior British Championship title ahead of Aiden Moffatt and Junior British Champion Archie Platt.

In the absence of Frazer Chamberlain and Max Stewart in the -90kg category, attention shifted onto last year’s European U23 Championship silver medallist Jamal Petgrave. Petgrave did not disappoint in claiming the British Championship title ahead of Tomas Lukus, James Reid and Lewis Widdicombe.

In the +100kg’s all eyes were on Christopher Sherrington and Wesley Greenidge. Both players were in great form and the crowd eagerly anticipated the two meeting in the final pool match. Greenidge attempted a big early throw against the 2014 Commonwealth Champion but unfortunately was not successful and was forced to tap out when Sherrington countered with a choke.

Yasmin Javadian and Josie Steele both had a busy weekend winning both the Junior and Senior British Championship titles at -52kg and -57kg respectively.

Bekky Livesey ended an injury plagued 2019 in winning the -63kg category ahead of Junior British Champion Mollie Game.

Kelly Petersen-Pollard

2019 European Junior Champion Kelly Petersen-Pollard successfully defended her -70kg British Championship title, holding off the challenge from Chloe Nunn who had to settle for silver.

Shelley Ludford had a birthday to remember as she topped the podium and became British Champion at -78kg ahead of Emma Reid.

Amy Platten and Sian Bobrowska both dominated the Junior -48kg category, there was nothing between the two players over the course of the weekend. Platten topped the podium at Junior level while Bobrowska finished ahead of Platten in the Senior competition in claiming silver, which was again won by Kimberley Rennicks.