Alex Bird demonstrates a shoulder throw on instructor Paul Renyard. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0665963)

NINE juniors from the Guernsey Judo Club took part in the Hampshire County Split Grade competition.

‘Split grade’ means they fight an opponent within one grade of themselves and of a similar weight. Matching ability and weight makes for a more even contest.

In total, there were 325 entrants from all over the country packed into the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. The event attracted many players from all over the southern area, including national squad members.

Taking part from Guernsey in the junior competition were Pierre and Vince Hockey, Peter Childs, Michael Goodwin, Laurence and Louis Plevin, Remi and Cody Dorey and Alex Bird.

Cody Dorey, in the novices U34 kilos, was competing in his first overseas competition but the occasion did not overawe him and he won one of his three contests and showed good determination against some bigger opponents.

Vince Hockey, at U34 kilos for green and blue belts, was also competing at this level for the first time and had three very hard fights and, to his credit, won one of them.