Help sought for future of city's top judo event
FOUR members of Highland Budokan have been crowned Judo Scotland Grand Prix champions — but doubts have been cast over the future of the Inverness tournament.
Josie Steele (Band A under-40kg), Aimee Grant (Band B under-44kg), Hannah Kerr (Band B under-48kg) and Michael Maclennan (Band C under-81kg) took the accolades after the Highland Budokan Open, which attracted almost 200 competitors to Inverness Leisure.
Fighters from across Scotland and the Highland Capital’s twin-town Augsburg participated at the annual event, the last Grand Prix on the Judo Scotland circuit of six tournaments.
Highland Budokan’s secretary Beverley Read thanked everyone who went to the event and made donations to the club but said more support will be needed for next year.
“In 2013, Highland Budokan will be looking for a tournament sponsor to help it carry on being the great success it is,” she said.
“If anyone is able to help or knows someone who might, please contact the club on: info@highlandbudokan.com or see the club’s website for further contact information — without this we may not be in a position to run our tournament again next year.”
Steele, Grant and Kerr also claimed gold at the event where the host club’s 27-strong team won 15 medals.
Player of the tournament Nathan Van Horrik (Band A under-50kg), David Kerr (senior men under-73kg) and Mark Mapplebeck (senior men under-90/100kg) also claimed top prizes.
Joanna Maclennan (Band A under-40kg) and Libby Anderson (Band A under-44kg) were runners-up, while third places went to Louis Norgate (Band A under-27kg), Max Provan (Band A under-38kg), Owen Rose (Band B under-34kg), William Harkiss (Band B under-46kg), Chris Mota (Band C under-60kg) Ramsay Darling (senior men under-81kg), Paul Mapplebeck (senior men under-90/100kg).
Evie Delves won the banner design competition.