Melbourn’s Matthew Boyce claims first black belt

Matthew Boyce from Melbourn Judo Club has picked up his first black belt.

The 16-year-old won two fights and then a line-up of three to gain his 1st Dan in Thetford.

A spokeswoman for the club said: “It has been a long time since Melbourn JC has taken a player from novice to a contest black belt and Matthew is very young to have achieved this honour.

“He is hoping to do well in the National Championships in December in his final year as a Cadet and I am sure that the new grade will give him more confidence in his ability to gain an international selection next year.”

The club also had other competitors across all age groups fighting in the development and team event.

There were bronze medals for Adam Verlot, aged nine, Lenny Murray, eight, Michael Marsh, nine, and Rebecca Frisby, 10, and silver medals for Charlie Hawker, eight, Brandon Keeling, 10, Daniel Frisby, 12, Kelli Cooper, 11 and Tim Boyce, over 50.

The senior team event required three Men and one woman. Toby Beamiss, 17, and Boyce were keen to enter and so Gerhard Oberholzer and Lesley Reid, both over 50, were talked in to making up the team.

And youth and experience turned out to be a great combination as they won a silver medal.