Judo who you are dealing with

Robyn Mackay, 12 from the Sportif Judo Club triumphed in the Minor Under 48KG category at the Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Motherwell.

The talented youngster secured the medal in impressive style, winning all of her bouts via Ippon. Bouts are schedule to last three minutes, but if a competitor is judged to have pulled off an Ippon move, they immediately progress to the next round.

Ippon is awarded for a technique which is judged as decisive. This is usually a move which connects cleanly, with good form and with little opportunity for the opponent to defend against it.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, the Earlston High pupil said: “I have been involved with judo since I was five. Medals are not the most important thing for me. I like the social aspect and have made many good friends through the sport. But it is nice to win medals too.”

Robyn receives funding from Rowan Boland Trust and Club Sport Ettrick and Lauderdale. She also thanked her coaches Peter and Preeti Gardiner. “I was a bit nervous going into the tournament, but the work I have done with Peter and Preeti (Gardiner) has been a big help to me.”

Next up for Robyn will be the British Championships in Sheffield this weekend.

Her mother, Aileen Mackay said: “She has loved judo since she was in Primary 1. She came home from school one day, having been shown it at school. She said she wanted to try judo and I thought 'OK, I'll give that until Christmas,' thinking that she was too much of a girl and she wouldn't want to get hurt.

“Seven years later she is still there and she has even roped her her dad into it now. He has been doing it for just over six weeks and he seems to love it too.”

Other Borderers who medalled at the championships include Luke Thomson from Melrose who also secured Gold and Abbie Blackie, Andrew Wilkinson, Ewan Paul and Anna Petty who won Silver.

Charlie Franklin from Peebles and Katelyn Guthrie and Roan Morgan (both Kelso) secured Bronze.