Last weekend saw the British Judo Association hold the British Championships for selection of the GB team 2018. Only the top sixteen judo players from each category are invited, with the top three being offered a place on Team GB, placing them on the world class performance pathway programme, preparing athletes for the Olympics and World Championships.

Midsomer Norton’s Matthew Hucker was selected for the event, despite dropping from fourth seed mid-year to ninth, due to missing key ranking events. This also gave Hucker a hard draw, drawing British number two, Adam Adaman, and number five, Adam Hoshal, as well as Scottish player, David Kerr.

Matthew controversially lost his first fight trying a rear sacrifice throw, landing directly on his back; the referee called ippon despite his opponent not even having a controlling grip, which was later spotted on film. This meant the Gold was already out of reach for Hucker.

Matthew now had to win two fights on the bounce with top scores. First up was David Kerr, from Scotland. Matthew threw Kerr twice, one being a winning throw, only to be down-graded to a waza-ari, meaning Hucker had to fight on. Thirty seconds later, Matthew scored a clean ippon with a lifting rear throw, slamming Kerr to his back.

Next up was British number two, Adam Adaman. Hucker almost straight away went down by waza-ari, leaving it all to do. One minute later, Matthew scored waza-ari back with a forward technique to then take the fight to golden score.

After six-and-a-half minutes in to what was an intense fight, Matthew defended a throwing attempt by Adaman, turning the movement into an arm bar, locking Adaman’s arm out straight and winning the fight by submission, taking Matthew to the second round, securing minimum fifth place.

Matthew then met Owen Livesey, Commonwealth Champion and British number one. Despite going the distance against the full-time athlete, from Camberley, Hucker lost by waza-ari, meaning the Silver was now out of his grasp, leaving any hope of a medal on the next fight. Hucker, against Jamie Black, was next, and Hucker felt fresh and optimistic.

It was a hard fight, with Hucker going down on points once again, as well as stoppages to plug up Matthew’s bleeding nose. With one minute to go, Matthew bombarded Black with multiple forward and rear-throwing techniques, all linked together to get one big ippon score with a throw much like his first; lifting and dumping his opponent onto his back with force and impetus.

That was it – Matthew had made it to the final round, where he had already won the Bronze he needed to be selected for the GB squad, which meant training with World and Olympic players and opening the gate to international opportunities over the next year.

Matthew said: “I’m ecstatic to achieve a GB Squad place; a judo dream for me, especially as I am one of the only non-full-time players competing at this level; a father of four trying to hold down a full-time job. It’s been incredibly hard, and I have already sacrificed a great deal. I’ve had to lose 20lbs in the last 28 days to make the weight, and am now looking forward to celebrating and eating plenty of food for Christmas!”

Hucker could not have done it without his brother, James, who supported him throughout the year, his coaches, Colin Taylor and Lee Adams, as well as Midsomer Norton Judo Club, and his new sponsors; Centurion Fitness and Health, Radstock, who allowed Hucker to use all their top facilities in the run-up to the event, which was key.

Matthew looks forward to working with Centurion over the next year, and hopes that, along with Midsomer JC and GB training, it will take him to the next level for the international circuit.

Midsomer Norton Judo Club welcomes people of all ages and abilities. For information, please contact them via Facebook, or call Colin on: 01761 419703.