Osaka Kwai Judo Club could not have asked for a better weekend as they rounded off their 2018 season with a flourish.

First up in a busy couple of days for the club was the 2018 West Dunbartonshire Community Sports Awards which saw Martin Granger shortlisted for Coach of the Year and the club nominated for Team of the Year.

Granger’s passion for judo was rewarded as he came out on top in a tough category. In accepting his award, the 52-year-old, who juggles time at the club with a full-time job, thanked his long-time coach and mentor Jim Robertson who he now coaches alongside at Osaka.

With 90 active members and an impressive 43 medal haul this season, Osaka then went on win Team of the Year.

It was back to business as usual for the club on Saturday morning as their elite Judokas made their way to the Emirates Arena in Glasgow for the Scottish National Championships.

Such is the level of competition at national events, the club opted to take their five most promising youngsters with Freya Millar, Liam Foy, Skye Kane, Darcy Millar and Braydon Wright making the trip.

First up on the mat was nine-year-old Freya who competed in a tough section. The youngster moved up a weight category in to a larger pool of fighters and bravely won her first fight but it wasn’t to be after that. Despite not coming away with a medal, the experience gained will stand Freya in good stead.

Osaka clinched their first medal of the day thanks to nine-year-old Liam Foy who, like Freya, competed in a large pool of experienced fighters. Foy won his first four fights of the morning before unfortunately losing out to the eventual gold medal winner but he still did enough to earn a well-deserved bronze.

Skye Kane, 11, also moved up a weight category and unfortunately lost her first match but she showed great determination to fight back well to win another two fights in a higher weight class while also getting the chance to show off her Grand Prix trophy.

Next up was Darcy Millar, also 11, who went unbeaten in the U52kg category to walk away with a deserved gold medal.

Darcy was then asked if she wanted to compete in a heavier category and went on to win another three fights which should have seen her clinch another gold if it was a medal event.

Lastly, Braydon moved up to a new age and weight category as he was unable to earn a medal, but settling into the ‘A’ band category was vital experience for the nine-year-old.

The Osaka coaches, Granger, brothers Jim and John Robertson and Kirsty Lyon were delighted with the performance of the children at an elite level and are already looking forward to guiding them to more success in 2019.