James Lewis
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Sport: Judo Age: 16 Coaches:
Key achievements:
Sporting ambitions:
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James is a member of the English judo squad. He has successfully moved up to the Youth D category for the 2008/09 season after being ranked third in the country in the 66kg category of the Youth C age group.
James has been practising judo since the age of nine. He trains with Medkwai and Dartford Judo Clubs and holds the grade of first Kyu senior brown belt. He is currently accumulating points towards his black belt.
Since the age of nine, James has been winning titles at county, regional, national and international level and currently represents England.
James first gained selection for the British National World Class Start Squad in 2006 after consistent success at national events and shortly afterwards received his first call to represent Great Britain in Holland. Success at several international events followed, including a silver medal in Antwerp and a bronze medal at the London International – then the largest judo competition held in the UK.
In the latter half of 2006, impressive 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, despite being one of the younger fighters in a higher age group and weight category.
James continued to compete successfully at national level throughout 2007, with a fifth place finish in the Kent International at Crystal Palace, and a creditable seventh in the Dutch International event in Venray, representing Great Britain.
In the 2007/08 season, James once again won a bronze medal at the Heart of England national ranking event and placed fifth in the British National Championships, confirming his national ranking as third in Great Britain and ensuring a third consecutive year in the English Judo Squad.
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James took his career a step further in April 2008, winning the British National Schools Championships, and finishing a hard-fought seventh in the US Junior Open Championships in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He also represented Kent in the Intercounty Team Championships, successfully fighting one weight division above his own and helping the Kent Team to strongly-contested gold medal. |
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