TWO Bacup judoka, both 19, have set the senior judo world alight this year. Natalie Barry (1st Dan black belt), a Commonwealth Silver Medallist in February in Mauritius, has claimed the number one senior ranking spot at under-56 kilo.

She's off on her travels next week competing in the University World Championships in Quebec, Canada.

She will be joined in Quebec by 20-year-old Sami Smithson (Rishton).

Sami is another player who takes advantage of coaching at Bacup from ex-Britain International Billy Hindle (5th Dan) and current under-18 and under-21 GB coach and manager Brian Moore (5th Dan), both from Burnley.

The other teenager Robert Anker, a 1st Dan and ranked seventh in senior rankings, has finished his junior judo career in great style for this year having represented GB at the Junior World Championships in Portugal in October.

Robert is a former bronze medallist at the British Schools World team event and a bronze medallist at the European Youth Olympics.

OVER 250 competitors from 25 clubs took part in the North West Junior Judo Championships for under-10s and under-12s at Sutton Leisure Centre, St Helens. Bacup judoka had an outstanding day with 12 of their entry of 14 gaining medals (four gold, six silver and two bronze).

The under 10s produced brilliant results, their medal tally of four gold, two silver and one bronze earning them enough points to gain the team trophy for the best club in this section.

Results - Eight-nine years medal winners - Gold: Kate Martin, Charlotte Cox, Helen Hope, Alex Cohen.

Silver: Amanda Huntback, Thomas Johnson.

Bronze: Martyn Edwards.

10-11 years - Silver: Danny Carr, Johnathan Morris, Tom Goggins, Thomas Martin.

Bronze: Daniel Huntback.

Bacup's star performer was nine-year-old Alex Cohen (St Saviour's Primary School) who claimed the gold medal with four superb Ippon, full 10 point victories.

A trio of successful girls, all with gold medals - Charlotte Cox, Kate Martin and Helen Hope, ensured that the team trophy went to Bacup, over 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals.

In the Under 12 championship there was another promising display from Tom Goggins (St John's and St Michael's, Shawforth).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.