Last weekend, Matthew Hucker from Midsomer Norton Judo Club competed in the English Open in Thetford.

Since his success at the British Championships in December, and qualifying for Team GB, Hucker has increased his training regime intensity and has just returned from his first international competition in Zurich, Switzerland, where he represented his country for the first time.

Hucker’s previous best result at the English Open was fifth two years in a row, and he went into the event in great shape, winning his first fight against Fergus MacFarane in convincing style. He then fought David Kerr from Scotland, winning with a waza-ari score after the fight went the full distance.

His next opponent was Vladimir Oleinic, ranked number two in the British rankings, and a judoka Hucker had never beaten, taking him the full distance on three occasions before eventually losing each fight. Hucker played a completely different game this time round, keeping Oleinic busy until the contest reached golden score where Hucker then stepped up gear, constantly pressuring Oleinic until there was an opening for Hucker to throw his hips in, lift Oleinic and throw him to the mat, picking up a wazari score to win the contest.

This resulted in Hucker making his way to his first English Open final against former British number one, James Hayes. Hucker started well, dominating grips and leading the fight on penalties until the last six seconds, where Hucker attempted a scrappy throw in which Hayes landed directly onto his back and Hucker onto his shoulders. Hucker then fended off the last six seconds, only for the referee and referee panel to change the score in favour of Hayes, as they deemed Hayes changed the direction of the throw.

So silver it was for Hucker, cementing his place in the British team and adding points to his British Ranking. He said: “I’m very happy with how things went today, tactically myself and James (Hucker, Matthew’s brother) made predominately all the right decisions and I look forward to getting straight back into training with my brother and my training partner, Joe Dallard, to work on mistakes I’ve made today.”

Matthew Hucker spends most of his time training at his childhood club, Midsomer Norton Judo Club, who along with Centurion Health Club in Radstock, fully support his training regime, but is now looking for funding to fight abroad and train internationally.

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