Local Judo stars Kirstie Strouts McCallion, and Jodie Jordan have had some fantastic results around the international Judo circuit over the past few weeks.
Both of them have been selected for the Great Britain national squad programme for 2017.
Both girls competed at the recent British trials where Kirstie took part in the in the cadet championships where she won a bronze medal.
Kirstie was matched against some of the best in Britain and was very unlucky not to have reached the final, but was a clear winner in picking up her podium place and a very well deserved bronze medal.
She also competed in the junior age group this time producing a fantastic result reaching the final in a very competitive field, but was just pipped at the post by the English girl for the top podium spot and had to settle for the silver medal instead of gold in a very tough final.
As a result of this fine performance, she will now join an elite group of girls who will form this year’s British national squad programme and will train together at the British Judo Association National academy in Walsall
Kirstie also competed at the Scottish Open International where she won a hard-earned bronze medal in her respective weight category.
Meanwhile, Jodie Jordan has shown a vast improvement in the last few years and is competing on the same playing field as the top British girls who will possibly be part of the next Olympic team in four years’ time.
She has been in great form of late and when she competed at the recent British trials she managed to be placed in the junior event. On the second day of the competition, she competed in the senior event in the 48kg division and was unlucky not to have reached the final. However, she went on to won a well-earned bronze medal in the women’s senior event.
Jodie also competed at the Scottish Open International event and reached the final in the 48kg event where she went on to take the top spot and win the gold medal.
This was a fantastic start to what promises to be a very successful year for the cities top judo players.
Jodie will join Kirstie as part of the Great Britain national squad programme.
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