A Bermondsey judo coach has won a gold medal at the British Masters which was held in Docklands recently.
Elephant & Castle-based Neno Avelov, head coach of Tokei Judo Club and who represented Bulgaria in the discipline in the 1990s, fought through three rounds before winning the final on a ‘golden score’.
The competition decides who gets into the national squads and is the highlight of the UK judo masters calendar, always attracting a big attendance.
Avelov was competing in the under-81kg category and was supported by his partner, Gail, and colleagues from Tokei who skipped Saturday training to attend.
It was a straight knock-out competition and in the final Avelov faced an opponent he had defeated in a different competition last May.
This contest was a very different challenge as the fight went the full distance before, despite multiple attacks from both competitors, the scores ended level.
That meant a ‘golden score’ phase when, without any limit of time, the next score or penalty wins.
At this point, the tension rose in the arena, and spectators drifted over from the other competition areas to watch.
The ‘golden score’ phase was a very cagey affair with both competitors ensuring they avoided a penalty but not wanting to risk too much and be thrown. Fatigue set in on both sides, and it was showing.
But Avelov’s stamina endured and skill persisted. He caught his opponent slightly off balance throwing him to the ground for a minor score. It was scrappy but more than enough to secure victory and kick off the celebrations in the Tokei crowd.
Tokei Judo Club train in a purpose-built dojo off Tooley Street on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with Brazilian Ju Jitsu (BJJ) training on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. They are a club with a sizeable proportion of more mature male and female players returning to the sport. New players are always very welcome.