Matthew Hucker, 4th dan black belt of Midsomer Norton Judo Club has been on a run of success in recent months. Starting at the West of England Open, Weston-super-Mare, Hucker won all his fights with ippon scores from throws and arm locks to make it to the final against Portugal’s Vladimir Oleinic.

Hucker took him into three minutes of golden score, but took silver after being thrown for a low scoring technique, which was enough for Vlad to take Gold. Hucker went home with 75 points to take him to fifth in Great Britain.

Next stop was the Eastern Open in Thetford. Hucker was fighting better than he ever had, picking up eight wazari scores and one ippon in just two fights, topping his group. However, whilst trying a flying arm-bar in the Semi-Final, Hucker was taken down to his back, losing the fight by ippon and subsequently taking Bronze. Fifty points were added to his British Ranking, which held Hucker in the fifth spot in the UK.

Most recently, Hucker fought in the Heart of England event, held in Walsall, Birmingham. As the most central event in the calendar, it attracts some of the best players in the UK, including commonwealth champion and Olympian, Danny Williams.

Hucker started with a bye in the first round, as he was highest ranked on the day. The second round saw Hucker take on Luke Tavener, from Bristol, who was dispatched quickly with a rear lifting throwing technique which transitioned into a hold and submission. Hucker then fought off a British masters player with Uchimata for wazari and Tani-otoshi for ippon.

Hucker found himself in the Final with none other than Danny Williams, from Camberley. The fight was a great example of tactical grip fighting, with both players trying different techniques, both standing and on the ground, looking for submissions. However, in the third minute, Williams took advantage of a well worked grip and took Hucker for ippon, taking Gold. Hucker settled with Silver, 75 points and is now ranked fourth in Great Britain. Matthew received his medal from the judo legend, and Superstars champion, Brian Jacks, who was impressed with Hucker’s fighting on the day. Hucker is coached by Lee Adams (3rd dan black belt and British masters champion) and financially supported by his brother, James Hucker, (1st dan Black belt) to which he owes these achievements.

For information on joining the Midsomer Norton Judo Club, please contact via Facebook or call Colin on: 01761 419703.