A year eight pupil from Gordano School claimed a gold medal in the English Championships recently.

Izzy Hammond travelled to London to compete in the under-48kg pre-cadet in Judo.

Both of her fights lasted all of 30 seconds but Hammond, 12, did two massive ippons to be crowned English Champion.

Her success at the English championships means Hammond has earned a spot on the Regional England Talent Development Squad, where the best pre-cadets in England come together for more training, competition and travel opportunities.

Hammond first took up Judo after moving away from gymnastics in 2019 and travelled to Croatia in March 2020, having done three months and competed internationally.

Throughout lockdown Hammond continued to train at every opportunity and is now a first-year pre-cadet, for children between the ages of 12 and 14.

Hammond currently trains at the Drake Bristol Judo Club in Lyde Green, having trained with The Academy in Portishead where she was crowned South West Champion at the time.

She has more recently fought at the Western Area Schools Championships where she battled it out for a place on the podium, where gold and silver medallists get priority entry to the British Schools Championships in Sheffield next March.

Hammond will be looking to fight in the Welsh Championships this month followed by the British Championships in December.