Well done to coach Dave Benson who managed to secure a Gold in the Northern Area Open Championship. Fighting a weight class above in u73s Dave was able to showcase his tenacity and dynamic judo.
The pool itself consisted of a spread of weight classes, ranging from u66kg, u73s and U81kg.
Unfortunately in the first contest against the u81kg judoka. Dave found it difficult to manoeuvre past the heavy grips and found himself getting hansoku make as a result of evasive action.
The second and third fights found Dave to have regrouped himself dispatching both GBR back-patched athletes in seconds of the contest starting with a same-sided osoto gari in the second and drop seio nage in the third.
In the fourth final fight, Dave found himself putting pressure on the opposition early continuing the impetus he built from the last two. Dave was able to capitalise on the movement created and the work rate applied. This led to a number of opportunities created on the ground for Dave to showcase some work on the ground. Needless, the groundwork was not the result Dave was wishing resulting in the final exchange Dave throwing with an emphatic drop sode.
A surprising yet rewarding day and 10 points were gained towards his 3rd Dan.
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