PAUL RENYARD has reached the pinnacle of his judo career.

Renyard awarded his black belt first dan
Judo
PAUL RENYARD has reached the pinnacle of his judo career.

At the famous London Budokwai, he gained the final 10 points of the 100 he needed in order to be awarded the coveted black belt first dan (Shodan).Renyard, at the age of 40, is the most senior of all the local judokas to win his black belt and joins a small band of Guernseymen to hold judo’s most prestigious award.He first practised judo as a junior with the Hugh Francis School of Judo under Eugene Hughes and then, just over two years ago after a break of almost 25 years, he took up the sport once again when Ben Jones rebranded the club as the Guernsey Judo Club.His achievement is a vindication of the tough training regime he has had to put himself through in order to compensate for the lack of local opposition, which is vital in honing all the skills required to reach black belt standard.Renyard has recently qualified as level two coach and is passing on his knowledge to all the other club members, in particular the junior squad which he coaches on Saturdays and Mondays, as well as taking over the beginners’ class on Wednesdays.Also competing at the Budokwai were two members of the Island Games team, gold medallist Roberto Mascherucci and Angelo Dorey, who continue to show how much the training for Rhodes has contributed to their fitness and skills, with the former earning a valuable and hard fought 20 points toward his third dan.If he had been able to overcome the fifth competitor in his line-up, he would have won his next grade but his two-metre-tall, 120kg opponent proved too much for even Mascherucci’s speed and experience and he managed to force his way through to win the bout.Danny Smith performed his swansong with Guernsey judo before he returns home to his native Ireland by winning two fights and securing his first 20 points towards his black belt.His ready humour and wit will be sorely missed by all his club mates but he has promised to meet up on future club visits to the Budokwai.Veteran Bob Childs rounded off a very successful day for all the local judo players by gaining his third kyu blue belt.Winter classes start again for the juniors on Saturday 8 September, with the seniors continuing throughout the summer months.If anyone is interested in starting or renewing their acquaintance with the sport, they can contact Mitch Agnelli on 238501.

Published 9/8/2007

FONTE: Guernsey Press and Star - Vale, Guernsey, UK

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