Carr is a top prospect
NATIONAL CHAMP KYLA IS TIPPED FOR MORE GLORY
JUDO national champion Kyla Jo Carr has the potential to reach the very top of her sport, according to her coach Kevin Pattinson, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 13-year-old from Consett won the gold medal in the under 36-kilogrammes category, year eight to nine, at the British Schools Championships in Sheffield.
That success has led to the Crawcrook Judo Club starlet being invited to attend training sessions with England’s Judo School of Excellence in Walsall.
Also representing the Consett Academy, Carr steadily progressed to the finals - defeating her opponents decisively with maximum points.
In the final she threw her opponent seven points with her favourite shoulder throw and continued into groundwork to win by Ippon 10 points for the gold medal.
Carr’s Sheffield success is all the more remarkable as she only took up the sport 17 months ago.
Pattinson said: “This is a fantastic achievement by Kyla. To face six fights in Sheffield and win them all is remarkable.
“Kyla has taken part in six competitions in the past year, winning gold medals in five of them and silver in the other.
“In one competition she had eight fights in one day but won all of them.
“She has come on in leaps and bounds and her Sheffield success is just reward for all the effort she puts in - she trains three or four times a week and always gives 100%.
“She has a lot to learn still - but I believe if she continues to develop as she is and continues to work as hard as she does she can go a very long way in the sport possibly to GB level.”
Carr is the second member of Crawcrook JC to be invited to attend the School of Excellence, following in the footsteps of Leah Pattinson in January.
She was not, however, the club’s only medal winner at the British Schools Championships.
Aimee Lawson, also representing Thorp Academy in Ryton, secured a bronze in the under-36 kilogrammes category, year eight to nine.
LOTS more martial arts coverage in Grassroots Sport in the coming weeks.