Marham players meet Olympian

Marham Judo Club players were thrilled to meet Olympic medal-winning Isle Haylen at a teaching session in Belgium.Members of the club travelled to Belgium to participate in an international competition.

Marham Judo Club players were thrilled to meet Olympic medal-winning Isle Haylen at a teaching session in Belgium.

Members of the club travelled to Belgium to participate in an international competition. The club was made to feel very welcome by the hosts.

The night before the competition the club took part in a coaching session run at the venue which attracted great interest.

One of Belgium's top female judo players, Ilse Haylen - who won a bronze medal in the Olympics in 2004 - led the session, teaching the children new skills.

On competition day, all performed extremely well, a product of their hard training which made their club and coaches very proud.

Gold medals were won by Jenna-Jaye Nicholson, Garry Paterson, Adora Storton and Matthew Parrott. Players Chris Parrott, Henry Andrewartha, Georgia Tower all took well-deserved silver medals. Neith Charlesworth and Jack Webb won bronze.

Terry Andrewartha was unlucky and missed out on a medal after working hard in a big group.

This was the first time some of the club members had competed in an international competition, an experience they thoroughly enjoyed.

Coach Paul Nicholson said: 'Everyone has had a great weekend, the results were fantastic and the children greatly enjoyed this cultural experience.'