James Lewis
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Sport: Judo Age: 15 Club: Rainham and Medkwai Judo Club Key achievements:
Sporting ambitions: To qualify for the World Youth Olympics in 2010 To represent the senior GB team |
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James is a member of the English judo squad. He is currently ranked second in the country in the 60kg category of the Youth C age group. James is looking forward to his second year in this age group and aims to move up to number one.
James has been practising judo since the age of eight. He trains with Rainham and Medkwai Judo Clubs and currently holds the grade of 13th mon blue belt. He attends regional and national squad training sessions approximately once a month.
Since the age of nine, James has been winning titles at county, region, national and international level and currently represents Great Britain.
James made big progress in his age and weight category in 2005. He won a bronze medal at the Heart of England Championships and finished seventh in the British National Championships in the under 50kg category. These results placed him sixth in Great Britain for all boys in his age and weight category.
In 2006, continued success at national level earned James selection for the British National World Class Start Squad and a call to represent Great Britain in Holland.
James was also successful at several international events, including winning a silver medal in Antwerp and a bronze medal at the London International – the largest judo competition held in the UK.
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In the latter half of 2006, James moved up an age category and into the 55kg division. Despite being one of the younger fighters in this age group, bronze medal finishes in both a national ranking event and the British National Championships saw him rank second in Great Britain in his age and weight for 2006 and retain his place in the national squad. |
James has continued to compete successfully at national level throughout 2007. He finished seventh in the Midland Area age-banded championships and he was selected to represent England in the Dutch International event in Venray, where he also finished a creditable seventh.
Also in that month, James gained a fifth place finish in the Kent International at Crystal Palace, fighting through a very large group of European players.
James took his career a step further in April 2008, winning the National Schools Championship.
James’ immediate goals are to continue to build upon his national and international level of judo and to continue to represent his country. He hopes to one day go on and represent Great Britain at senior level events, including World and Olympic Championships.
Archive stories
James Lewis wins national championship
Medway judoka retain national squad places under tough circumstances