GREAT Britain hopeful Andrew Pickerill raced to a gold medal in the Midlands – winning one match in just three seconds. Pickerill, a brown belt from Wicken, has developed a reputation for quick wins. He again used his favourite move, Harai Goshi, a sweepi

GREAT Britain hopeful Andrew Pickerill raced to a gold medal in the Midlands - winning one match in just three seconds.

Pickerill, a brown belt from Wicken, has developed a reputation for quick wins.

He again used his favourite move, Harai Goshi, a sweeping hip throw, to immediately dispatch an opponent on the way to victory in the Midland Under-20 Age Banded Judo Competition at Walsall.

The Littleport Judo Club member fought in the over-66kg category for players born in 1993 and 1994 and went on to achieve maximum points, winning all of his contests with decisive throws.

The 14-year-old is already a member of British Judo's World Class Start Programme and will travel with the British squad to Rouen, in France.

Coach Ros Edwards said: "Andrew's a real prospect with bags of potential and I really believe that he can go on to make the British junior squad. He listens to his coaches and is very dedicated."

Pickerill's 12-year-old club-mate Nicholas Johnson, from Soham, was among the youngest in the under 55kg category, for the same age group.

Two victories from holds put Johnson into the semi-final where he faced the 2006 national gold medalist Taylor Bell and, despite escaping from hold downs, was thrown.

Johnson then competed for a bronze medal and put up a good fight but was thrown and held so had to settle for fifth place.

Edwards said: "Nicholas will return in 2008 a year older, but still in the same age band, and with more experience."

Johnson attends local World Class Start training sessions and aspires to selection for 2008.

Both boys will be competing in The North West Age Banded championships on February 24 and Pickerill will be defending his title.

Littleport Judo Club welcomes new players, young and old, and meets at Littleport Leisure Centre. More information about the Judo Club is available at the Leisure Centre or by ringing one of the coaches on 01553 763973 or 01553 840573.