Judo: David Hulme and Ricardo Pina competing in Northern Ireland Open Championships

Ricardo Pina with two juniors at a Rochdale Judo Club grading

Rochdale Judo Club’s David Hulme and Ricardo Pina will be competing in the Open Championships in Londonderry, Northern Ireland on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April.

Mat coach, Warren Schofield, who will be joining them, is confident Ricardo and David will do well.

There is the potential for them both to return with medals, as there are four awarded in total: gold, silver and two bronze.

He said: “We’re looking forward to it.

“They’re both very good. We’re hoping for gold, but any medal they get would be a bonus.”

Ricardo and David will be competing in their respective senior weight categories and could have anywhere between two and 20 matches, depending on their performances.

Ricardo, who is originally from Portugal, holds a first Dan black belt. He has competed with the club from junior rankings.

David, who holds a second Dan black belt, has competed with the club since he was a child, having been taught by Mick Armstrong and Maurice Clark. He currently trains four or five times per week and also assists in training the juniors.