Teenager wins judo title

Teenager wins judo title
A TEENAGER from Silverstone is aiming for the top in his sport after winning the Welsh national judo title.
Daniel Saul, 17, was successful in the under-18 division at the Welsh championships in Hereford on June 25, which attracted top quality competitors from across Britain.He won four bouts, culminating in a tough final against the silver medallist who had won his three previous contests.Delighted Daniel, who is a brown belt, trained hard for his breakthrough after a disappointing showing in the English national championships in May.He is trained by his mother, Jan, a four times British judo champion in the the 1970s.Daniel said: "I gave it a go and it all came off."I have avoided competitions in the past but after the English nationals I felt I had something to prove and with my mother's encouragement entered the Welsh championships."I aim to go for my black belt later this year and enter a number of adult competitions starting in November."Daniel was taught judo from a young age by his mother, now a 4th Dan black belt.She runs classes for five to 16-year-olds at Brackley Leisure Centre, the Willison Centre at Roade School, Blakesley School and teaches adults at Towcester Leisure Centre.The mother-of-two said: "Daniel has done very well and I am very proud of him."After the English championships I urged to him to do some harder training and he went to the Welsh champions ships with a different attitude."I hope he can maintain this success and progress even higher in the sport."Aged 54, his mother was in her early 20s when she gained success in the judo field, winning four national women's titles.Besides being a judo instructor she is also technical officer for the British Judo Council for the North Bucks area.Daniel is a member of the Zanshin Judo club..He trains at Towcester Leisure Centre on Thursday evenings.He also helps his mother with coaching in between studying art, information technology and design technology at Northampton College in Daventry.His elder brother, Richard, 22, also took part in judo competitions when he was younger.
13 July 2006

FONTE: Buckingham Today - UK - http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/