The GB Masters squad picked up an impressive 13 medal haul at the 2016 Veterans World Judo Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA from Friday 18 November to Monday 21 November.

This haul included four gold medals for Sarah Hopkins (F5 -78kg), Kay Andrews (F6 -78kg), Michael Chamberlain (M5 -73kg) and Thomas Moyse (M8 -100kg).

Hopkins was defending her title from 2015 and she was in impressive form seeing off the challenges of Klara Beerenwinkel (GER) and Shandra Smith (USA), winning both contests by ippon with time to spare. Kay Andrews improved on her silver from last year and ensured she had a European and World double to celebrate in 2016. Teammate Lesley Hutchins took silver in the same weight.

Thomas Moyse of Kodokwai Judo Club was too strong for his opponents as he made his way through the field without conceding a score or a shido. In the final it took him little over a minute to dispatch Germany’s Helmut Hanus for ippon.

Michael Chamberlain showed his stamina coming through five fights on the day including a few close contests, in particular with Valerii Chmykhalov (RUS) in the semi-finals. However he saved his best for the final as he beat Yves Tullio (FRA) scoring for waza-ari and ippon.

As well as Lesley Hutchins, there were silver medals for Craig Homer (M3) and Stan Cantrill (M9) both at -73kg. Cantrill in particular lost out in a very close and high-scoring final to home judoka James Miller.

There were also six bronze medallists in Caroline Rawlings (F2 -57kg), Joyce Malley (F5 -70kg), Ronda Crampton-Reid (F2 +78kg), Kyle Perry (M1 -66kg), Joseph Johnson (M8 -90kg) and Terence Watt (M9 -90kg).

Full results can be found here: http://www.ippon.org/wc_vet2016.php

If you’d like to find out more about Masters Judo contact Chris Doherty: chris.doherty@britishjudo.org.uk or check out the GB Masters page