STUDENTS COME HOME FROM JIU JITSU TOURNAMENT AS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

With Olympic medalists and other UK champions among its alumni, the good news just keeps coming for Exeter College, which is boasting another sporting triumph as the Jiu Jitsu team return home as Jiu Jitsu National Championship winners.

The Jiu Jitsu Club is part of the College’s Enrichment scheme, which invites students across the College to enjoy free additional activities above and beyond their academic or vocational studies every Wednesday afternoon.

In total, 24 students aged between 16 and 18 from the College entered the contest held at West Exe College, which included 300 competitors aged mostly between 16 and 60.

Those returning with medals were as follows:
• George Greenwood, aged 18, of Exeter, who won Gold in the Orange Belt Male Heavyweight. George is taking A levels in Physics, Politics, Maths, and History at the College.
• International Baccalaureate student Jack Dowell, aged 18, of Topsham, won Silver in the Yellow Belt Male Middleweight.
• Sam Chamberlain, aged 18, of Exeter, won Silver in the Novice Male Lightweight. Sam is studying for his AS levels in Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology and for his BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Music.

Their instructor, Dr Richard Catterick – who today holds a Fourth Degree Black Belt, runs classes from the Exeter Martial Arts, and is the most senior governing body instructor in the South West – began learning jiu jitsu 22 years ago while reading for his first degree at university.
Delighted with the students’ success, Richard says: “Competition was very tough on the day and the students, who were a cross-section from across the College faculties and not only those specialising in sports, were up against teams from Exeter, Leicester, and Southampton Universities, as well as adult city teams from all over the country.”

“I am really pleased with our medal winners and what they achieved. All the students did themselves and Exeter College proud. Even those who didn’t win a medal still had a great experience on the day.”

To find out more about jiu jitsu and other classes for adults and children offered at Exeter Martial Arts, call Richard on 01392 663000 or visit www.exetermartialarts.co.uk.