Washouts won't sink reigning champions

Get a grip & try judo

IF YOU ever fancied trying Judo, then the time is now, and Cosford is the place, according to RAF team manager Cpl Liam Hart.

He told RAF News how the RAF Championships from February 20-24, known as the Festival of Judo, will be the launch pad for future success as the sport makes its return.

“We are bouncing back following Covid and the movements of Service life that every sport struggles with,” he said. “We have kept a core of our more experienced athletes, who have grown with each other over the years.

“Anyone who becomes involved will see and feel this, I know you go on to the mat alone, but everyone has your back and that’s a great place to be. We want new people to come and experience that.

“We have individuals, like me taking command roles, stepping up, new blood as it were. We have a new social media person, AS1 Chris Featherstone, taking charge to highlight these changes and what is available, we have former international and GB champions, European cup competitors and event winners such as Cpl Andrew Melbourne, AS1 Tommy Mercer and Sgt Pete Sutherland, who are now passing on their expertise through coaching.

“All of us are working alongside our director of coaching WO Fred Harris, one of the sport’s shining lights, and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.”

Such is the set-up now, Hart