Northumbria Show Sheffield Steel

Northumbria University Jitsu reinforced its position as one of the region’s most successful martial arts clubs after making BUCS history in Sheffield.

After an anxious wait following a points mix-up, the Sport Central-based club bagged BUCS bronze at the 2010 Atemi nationals.

And for instructor David Chalton and wife Ruth the achievement caps seven years of significant progress.

“This is yet another another turning point for Northumbria Jitsu,” said David.

“We have returned with a number of BUCS individual medals before but never with a BUCS top three team ranking.

“Unlike the more traditional university sports, Jitsu has only recently been given BUCS status and our success reflects the commitment and dedication of all the club members, past and present.”

Chalton was also keen to praise the contribution of Northumbria’s first homegrown instructor Adam Slawson who joined the coaching team in Sheffield for the first time.

Slawson has come through the ranks to emerge as a key player within an ambitious organisation.

And David added: “The fact that Adam was able to bring his wealth of experience of other martial arts to the table was vitally important.

“Add that to the 20 years-plus experience Ruth and I have in the field of jiu-jitsu and we’ve got a pretty powerful trio at the helm!

“The wide variety of fighting viewpoints, martial skill and experience these three instructors bring together in one university club is a recipe for the continued success of Northumbria Jitsu.

“In the club's seven-year history we’ve amassed 18 national golds to truly live up to the moniker of "Team Awesome”. We want that success to continue and Adam joining as a volunteer coach makes that possible.”

A 23-strong team headed to South Yorkshire determined to build on past successes.

And after the traditional teaching sessions a fiercely contested BUCS competition swung into action.

Competitors are judged on their appreciation of the ‘art’ of Jitsu as well  their response to the ‘martial’ aspect of the sport.

And Northumbria’s mix of untried rookies and experienced campaigners pulled out all the stops to bring glory back to Tyenside.

Novices Annabel Hunter-Purvis (first year Sport Science) and Lawrence Misick (first year Architecture) progressed to the final 30 on debut.

“To finish in the top 10%, from a field of around 300, is an achievement to be proud of,” added David.

Green belts Hector Chow (Masters in Business with Marketing Management) and Connor Simpson-Key (thirrd year Law) progressed to the finals of a keenly fought division.

In addition dark blue belt Alex Macaulay (fourth year Architecture) put on an amazing show on the first day, and slid easily into the finals.

Day two saw Northumbria dominate the green belt division - returning with individual BUCS silver and BUCS fourth for Chow and Simpson-Key respectively.

Macaulay performed well under pressure to bag BUCS bronze and those three medals gave Northumbria a fighting chance of claiming a BUCS podium place.

The club’s BUCS Team Championship bronze was finally confirmed earlier this week.

And Chalton added: “As always this result not only shows the skill and dedication of the students at the club but reflects upon the excellent facilities and support provided by Team Northumbria and the Sport Central staff.

“Northumbria Jitsu is a successful club at the University with more than 40 members, catering for all levels whatever their motivation for training - be it fighting, fitness, self defence, technical challenge or just for the sheer enjoyment.

“We are proud to include students, staff and members from the local community and we have an age range of 18-40. This inclusive approach makes it a great environment to train in and an ideal environment for producing national martial arts champions from the North East.”

SIMON RUSHWORTH

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