Thompson Leads Charge

Northumbria University Jitsu refused to give up without a fight after facing a fresh challenge to its standing as one of the UK’s most feared clubs.

Years of sustained success have made the Sport Central club easy targets for teams bidding to break into the sport’s elite.

But Northumbria emerged from the 2011 Jitsu BUCS Atemi nationals ranked sixth place overall and celebrating two top four individual finishes.

"We are really proud of the whole club and the effort they put into training,” said co-lead coach Dave Chalton.

“This training doesn’t only lead to successful competitions. That’s only part of martial arts is all about.

“It also targets individual development, improvement and progression.

“Around 60 clubs competed in Sheffield and to make the top six is a huge achievement.

“More importantly we came away with no injuries of note.

“This reflects well on all of the competitors but also on their team mates who have put in many hours of training.

“Those people might not make their mark in competitions but they help their team-mates to reach their potential.

“They’re the silent partners in our success and it’s only right they share in that success.”

A team of 14 headed to South Yorkshire bidding to build on Northumbria Jitsu’s fantastic record in national competition.

And at the end of day one a third of the orange belt finalists came from the Tyneside club.

Annabel Hunter-Purvis, a second-year Sport Science student, Jon Thompson, a second year Biomedical Sciences student and staff member Simon Scorer all progressed to the final 10.

Joanne Frankland, a third year English and Creative Writing student, served up her best performance to date only to narrowly miss out on the finals.

Alex Macaulay (Architecture) eased his way into the final 11 of the brown belt competition. 

But despite a strong showing from the club’s novices and yellow belts, none progressed to the 2011 finals.

Day two did not deliver the usual haul of medals as Northumbria’s roster found the going tough in the face of the cream of the 800-strong field.

But the University still dominated the orange belt category as Jon Thompson bagged individual BUCS silver and Hunter-Purvis took fourth.

Macaulay came closest to completing a hat-trick of outstanding individual displays only to suffer a surprise exit in the latter stages.

“Northumbria Jitsu is a successful club at the University with more than 40 members,” added Chalton.

“We’re proud of the fact that we cater for all levels whatever their motivation for training - be it fighting, fitness, self defence, a technical challenge or just for the sheer enjoyment.

“We always provide a friendly mat where national champions train side by side with brand new members.

“We include students, staff and members from the local community and have an age range between 18 and 40.

“With support from Team Northumbria and the facility at Sport Central I really believe we offer an ideal environment for producing national level martial artists from the North East.”

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