Chalton Leads By Example

Northumbria Jitsu continues to fight above its weight after establishing itself as the third best club in Britain.

The Newcastle-based martial arts powerhouse took Walsall by storm at the 2011 TJF Randori National Championships.

And it was unsung hero and long-serving instructor Dave Chalton who took centre stage with double gold to cap a stunning team effort.

Based at Northumbria University’s £30m Sport Central complex, the North East’s most successful jitsu club has claimed a podium place in each of the last four National Championships.

And while a typically modest Chalton played down his own part in another stunning display he said: "The team members train really hard and deserve all the success they get.

“This includes the non medal winning members as they are the silent partners in the medal winners’ success.

“Team-mates push each other onwards and upwards, helping them both to improve. Iron sharpens iron as they say!

“Northumbria jitsu would like to thank their instructors, Newcastle Region Jitsu and the higher grades for their support over the years.

“We’d also like to thank Rachel Barr and all the Team Northumbria staff and the Sport Central front of house staff for their unstinting support.

“Without them these results just wouldn’t be possible.

“And finally we’ve got to pay tribute to David Ashdown, Northumbria Jitsu’s unofficial fitness coach, for giving us our best kept secret weapon: fitness we can trust!”

Almost 40 jitsuka from the North East region headed to the West Midlands with hopes high.

And by the time the two-day competition had come to a close Northumbria Jitsu were celebrating a nine-medal haul – including three gold, four silver and two bronze.

Adam Slawson set the ball rolling by making the ne waza final. Injury forced the hot favourite to give up gold but his silver set the benchmark for the North East contingent.

Chris Lang carried the momentum into day two by bagging the first of his two bronze medals in the ne waza. Hours later the rising star took third in his tachi waza division.

Alex Macaulay almost matched Chalton’s incredible achievement only to fall just short in his bid to grab double gold. After winning tachi waza in his division he was edged out into second place in the fiercely competitive ne waza.

Chalton was Northumbria’s last hope for a personal clean sweep and the Newcastle University doctor matched Macaulay’s 2009 double – winning ne waza and tachi waza gold and keeping a clean sheet in the process.

Luke Morgan maintained the medal rush after clinching silver in his ne waza division and Amy Labram matched that result after making her own divisional final.

Michael Turner’s fourth-place finish secured the points Northumbria needed to take their podium place. And Chalton added: “From its re-establishment as a club in 2003, Nothumbria Jitsu has grown from three people training in a squash court with mats to a serious national contender.

“Eight years on we have a £30m home, scores of members and medals from every major championship.”

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