Double medal success for UEL Judo at BUCS

Monday 25 February 2013

BUCS is the annual showpiece event in the British University judo calendar and the few UEL students that made the long trip up to the All Saints High School in the northern city did not disappoint. Black belt and full-time judoka Julia Scardone started the day off brilliantly for the team, convincingly winning her first two matches in the under 57kg category. Unfortunately, she lost in the quarter-finals but a victory in the repechage bagged her a well earned bronze medal.

Stephen Kent featured for team UEL in the over 100kg blue belts and under category. He got off to a great start, winning his first two fights by ippon and progressing through his group in second place. A hard-earned victory in his semi-final followed before facing Edward Brown of Sheffield Hallam in the final. Although Stephen had a decent chance in the early stages he made a crucial error and succumbed to his opponent’s strangle. A well deserved silver medal was the super-heavyweight's reward at the end of the day.

Helder Francisco also featured for UEL in the under 66kg blue belts and under category. He won his first fight with an ippon but unfortunately lost the following two and finished third in his group.

UEL Judo coach Denny Roberts was with the team the whole weekend and was pleased with their results, “To come away with two medals from such a strong field of competitors is a great achievement for them and the university. Next year let's hope we can field a bigger team and do even better.”

The medals capped off a great weekend for UEL at the BUCS National Championship in Sheffield.

See more photos of the team in action at the BUCS on the UEL Judo facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/UelJudo

By Stephen Kent