Rye News has followed the successes of Braydon Robus, aged seventeen, a former student of Rye College, and Sophia Robus his sister, aged twelve, a student at Rye College Aquinas Trust over the last year. This week their mother, Janine, told the paper about their latest training and award-winning competitions.
“This weekend they went to the British Judo Association national training centre in Walsall. Braydon is part of the GB adaptive squad for kata, and they have both competed for GB in adaptive judo. Braydon and Sophia have dyslexia and autism, and judo has helped them to be able to compete and achieve at a high level of competition, making the sport more inclusive. This has built their confidence in all walks of life.
“This weekend was a national inclusion training session for adaptive judoka. Saturday was training, Sunday learning more about adaptive judo as well as getting to train alongside Neil Adams MBE. What an experience!
“Braydon and Sophia competed in November at the European Judo Union Get Together competition in Venray, Holland. Braydon came away with two gold medals (one for kata and one for fighting), and Sophia fought and came away with a gold medal as well.
“The next EJU competition is in Croatia in May, followed by Poland in September and Paris in October at which they will be defending their titles. Braydon is also highlighted for the EJU kata championships in Latvia at the beginning of June. This is breaking barriers down as this will be the second year adaptive that kata is being represented.
“Last year Braydon and his kata partner achieved team GB’s first-ever medal at this competition, let alone getting gold.
“We are looking for sponsorship for Braydon and Sophia as they will be competing in the following competitions:
British Schools competition March 9, in Sheffield
BENG 25 competition in Beverwijk, Holland April 4-6
European Judo Union, Get Together competition, in Zagreb, Croatia May 10 and 11
European Judo Union, Get Together competition in Gdansk Poland September 14.
It is costly for us and without sponsorship these athletes cannot compete at these prestigious international events. Please do get in touch janinec1981@aol.com or 07764 497776 if you can help.”
Image Credits: EJU , Janine Robus , EJU , Janine Robus .