Tollbar Student Wins Silver Medal At British Schools’ Judo Championships

Getting into the judo stance! Newly-crowned British Schools’ Judo Championships’ Silver Medallist and Tollbar Academy Year 7 student, Archie Cannon (12), with Deputy Curriculum Leader for PE, Rob Allenby.

A 12-year-old Tollbar Academy student has won a Silver Medal at the British Schools’ Judo Championships.

Archie Cannon fought three times against opponents with an advantage of 10kg in weight over him, winning two out of the three bouts. Competitors travelled from all over the UK for the event in Sheffield.

Year 7 student Archie has been a member of Grimsby Judo Club since the age of five. He is an orange belt and fights in the under 72kg weight. He trains twice a week and has followed in his dad’s footsteps by taking up judo.

Hundreds of competitors took part in the championships and Archie’s mum Nicola Smith, who was at the event with family and friends to support him, said: “This competition was huge and very hard to predict as there were fighters attending from all over the UK.

“Archie did amazingly well as his competitors also had an advantage of 10kg in weight over him! We are immensely proud of him,” she added.

Archie said the enormity of the event did not deter him. “There were lots of competitors but I knew my coach would not put me into the competition if I was not good enough, so I just did my best,” he said.

“I enjoy judo because it keeps me fit and disciplined and teaches me self-defence.”

Rob Allenby, Deputy Curriculum Leader for PE at Tollbar Academy, said Archie’s achievements are inspirational.

“This is an amazing achievement for someone so young, especially as this category is dependent on weight and not age,” he said.

“Archie is a fantastic ambassador for his sport and brings his medals in to show us each week. He is an inspiration to his classmates who look up to him as a role model,” he said.

Tollbar Academy student Archie Cannon (left) on the Silver Medal podium at the British Schools’ Judo Championships in Sheffield.

Archie Cannon (12) who won the Silver medal at the recent British Schools’ Judo Championships, attempts to teach Deputy Curriculum Leader for PE, Rob Allenby some moves!