A national competition can look very simple from the outside: a draw, a few contests, a result at the end of the day.
For the children stepping onto the mat, it is rarely that simple.
There is the early start. The wait to be called. The moment the first grip is taken. The decision to keep going after a hard contest. And then there is the journey home, with plenty to replay, learn from and be proud of.
Three Fighting Fitness Judo Pathway Squad members took on that challenge at this year’s British Minors Judo Championships. Eric Skillcorn, Pablo Perez Moreno and Maisie Chang all represented the club with real spirit, composure and willingness to test themselves at a demanding level.
Eric: experience that cannot be copied in training
Eric competed in the under-38kg category. He won one of his three contests and lost two.
That result tells only part of the story. Competing at this level asks a young judoka to make decisions under pressure against opponents they do not know, in an environment that feels very different from a normal club session. Eric came away with valuable experience of that challenge — and experience is exactly what gives the next competition more meaning.
A win matters. So does learning how to reset after a loss, listen, stay present and step back onto the mat ready to go again. Those are habits that build over time.
Pablo: a seventh place that means something
Pablo also competed in the under-38kg category. He won two contests and lost two, finishing in seventh place.
This was one of Pablo’s best competitions to date. He put together wins in a strong field and showed that he can stay in the conversation deep into the day. Seventh place is not a podium finish, but it is a meaningful marker of progress — particularly when it comes from winning two matches at an event of this standard.
The best young competitors learn to see a result clearly: enjoy what went well, be honest about what still needs work, then return to training with a better idea of the next step.
Maisie: three wins and a silver medal
Maisie competed in the under-44kg category and had an outstanding day. She won three contests, lost one and came home with a silver medal.
A medal at the British Minors is a brilliant achievement, but the way it was earned is equally important. Three wins in one day requires concentration, resilience and the ability to keep doing the basics well when the pressure rises. Maisie showed all of that.
Her result gives the whole club something to celebrate — and gives Maisie a well-earned reminder of what consistent work can lead to.
What the Pathway Squad is really for
Eric, Pablo and Maisie are all part of the Fighting Fitness Judo Pathway Squad. The squad gives members who want to develop their competitive judo an extra place to learn, prepare and support one another.
That does not mean every young member has to compete. At Fighting Fitness Judo, competition is an option, not an expectation. Plenty of children train for fitness, friends, confidence, gradings and the enjoyment of learning judo.
For the members who choose to compete, however, events like the British Minors offer something valuable: a chance to practise courage in a real setting. They learn how to prepare, how to respond when a contest does not go their way and how to be a good teammate when it is somebody else’s turn to step on the mat.
The coaching and the conversations around the mat matter too. Young competitors should never feel that one result defines them. The aim is to help them develop as people and judoka over the long term.
Proud of all three
Maisie’s silver medal deserves a big celebration. Pablo’s seventh place and two wins deserve the same recognition for what they represent. Eric’s first win at this level and the experience he gained matter just as much.
All three showed great spirit in the way they fought and supported the day. They have given themselves plenty to build on, and the club is very proud of them.
If your child would like to try judo — whether their goal is confidence, fitness, friendship or eventually competition — book a free first class. There is no pressure to compete, just a welcoming place to start and progress at their own pace.