Judo: Isabelle Kitchen wins Gold at Northern Ireland Open Championships

Isabelle Kitchen and Vasilisa Zachrarov

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Rochdale Judo Club came away with four medals after competing in the Northern Ireland Open Championships (22-23 April).

14-year old Isabelle Kitchen came away with a gold medal and Vasilisa Zachrarov, a bronze.

Danny Harper came away with a silver medal, and Ricardo Pina won a bronze.

Isabella competed in the 52kg category and has been fighting for six years. She is ranked number one in her weight category and is the current Irish and English Open Champion.

Vasilisa, the current Welsh Open Champion, is currently working towards her level one in coaching and represented England at the 2016 Sainsbury’s games.

Both girls have been training for the Championships for around five weeks with coach Andrew Merchant, 5th Dan.

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

Rochdale Judo Club coach Warren Schofield said: “The girls are doing well, and Ricardo fought very well.”