South Brent Judo players fought tenaciously on two fronts at home and abroad all on the same weekend.

Eight high grades fought at the Flanders Cup in Belgium, a notoriously high level international competition and training camp.

Facing competitors from across Europe the squad rose to the challenge with some magnificent judo. The highlights of the weekend were fifth place for Tom Smith, Scarlet Hodge and a seventh for Davy Grey.

Closer to home, 11 red and yellow belts competed at the Devon low grades in Kings­bridge. For many of the judoka it was their first competition.

The event was fun, friendly and gave the young players the op­portunity to test themselves against other local judoka.

They rose to the challenge and made their parents and coaches extremely proud.

In the under 16s event Kiya Butler, Ar­chie Hurst, Madddox Callard and Jamie Shipp all won gold.

Jamie had six fights and remarkably won all six. Finn Stephenson and Zoe Butler won silver, with bronze med­als going to Xanthe Kilroy-Silk and Martha Upton.

Next came the men’s senior competition where SBJC had two fighters in the U73kg category. The final was between them both, Matt Upton and Sam Smith, and resulted in Matt claiming the gold and Sam the silver. Sam then went on to win a bronze in the open weight group.

Look at the website southbrentjudo.weebly for more information on club activities.