Pictured above Kin Ryu fighters Kirstyn Chase (11), Jack Thompson (9), Corlia Robertson (9), William Burke (8), Andrew Robertson (10) and Zack Wake (8).

Last Sunday, 6 members of Kin Ryu Judo Club travelled to Zonhoven in Belgium to compete in the Zonhoven International Judo Tournament.

The six youngsters all aged between 8 and 11 were competing in their first full junior international tournament.

In the U13 age group the club was represented by Kirstyn Chase and Andrew Robertson, both fought well and finishing in 3rd place in their groups and taking home the bronze medal.

After them it was the turn of the younger players in the U11 section, and representing the club was Corlia Robertson, Jack Thompson, William Burke and Zack Wake.

The first to fight was Corlia and who was the lightest player in the competition but she battled well to take 3rd place and a bronze medal follow her was Jack and William who also fought through their groups to take 3rd and a bronze.

Determined to bring back a different medal Zack was the last to fight and battled through his group beating the French and Belgium boys before losing to the home favourite in the final and he took a well deserved silver medal to round off the weekend.

Despite all being tired when they finished the players all agreed that it had been a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and hopefully the start of some of their international judo careers.

As well as the fighters, Kin Ryu was represented by Martin Rivers who was refereeing and Lisa Harrison who was coaching.

Well done to all!

HOME