“Although the kids step onto the mats alone, knowing they have the backing of their club gives them a boost.”

It was a fantastic day for North East Judo Academy at the Leinster Open in Dublin on Sunday, with the club’s young athletes delivering a series of strong performances across the board.

Of the 9 talented participants, the team secured an impressive 7-medal haul, showcasing their skill and determination on the day.

• Gold medals were awarded to Genevieve Ryan and Maksym Misinkevich, both competing in the Pre-Cadet category.
• Silver medals were well-earned by Frankie Monaghan and Patrick Fayne, who fought hard in their respective categories.
• Bronze medals went to Aoife Pierce, Bevan McLaughlin, and Nikolas Hoderdzishvili, rounding off a successful day for the club.

The atmosphere in the NEJA camp was electric with great support from parents, coaches, and teammates. Hearing everyone cheer each other on made a real difference. Although the kids step onto the mats alone, knowing they have the backing of their club gives them a boost.

All nine participants from North East Judo Academy gave it their all, showing grit and sportsmanship throughout the competition. The coaches were thrilled with the team's effort, not just for their medals but for the dedication and passion they displayed.

A notable moment came when Bevan McLaughlin and Michael Dunne had to face each other in a hard-fought contest. The bout went to golden score, with Bevan ultimately winning by referee decision, demonstrating great strength and sportsmanship from both fighters.

This marks another successful outing for the club, and everyone is looking forward to what the future holds for these talented young judokas.

The club also played a key role in supporting the event, with Leo Ryan doing an excellent job refereeing and two of the academy’s table officials helping the organisers, Leinster Judo, who put on a fantastic event.