Bronze Medal For Abbots Langley Teen

A young judoka from Bedmond won a bronze medal at the Ippon Trophy in Antwerp after being selected by the British Judo Council to represent them in Belgium. Tom Lish, who attends the St Albans Judo Club, won the bronze in the 12 to 15 year old category for the British team after making it through an extremely tough group despite this being his debut representing Britain. Claire Lish, Tom’s Mum, said: “Tom made it through the pools of his weight group to take the final, fighting off for a very well-earned bronze medal for the British Team. “This was an outstanding achievement for a first time squad player in a very tough group of experienced nationally ranked judoka. “All six of these young judoka were fantastic ambassadors for their club on the international stage for Judo, and for their country.  We are extremely proud of all of them for their great performances!”  Twenty one team members were selected for the British team and six of those were from the St Albans Judo Club. Claire added:  “In order to be selected these young judoka had to have seized a gold or silver medal at the last two national tournaments and to have attended the British Judo Council Squad training on a regular basis for the last year.” Apart from Tom, The St Albans Judo Club competitors were Paige Rowlett, Emily Niven, Victoria Cleevely, Jessie Edwards and Paddy Lish, Tom’s brother and they attend schools across Hertfordshire, including in Bushey and Watford. The Ippon Trophy is an extremely prestigious European ranking event which sees competitors from 20 countries taking part, many of which have already been in their national squads.