BEN Tippett became the first member of the Kumo Judo Club in Thetford to gain his black belt.In his first grading as a senior Ben, 15, had three preliminary fights of which he had to win two with the maximum score of ippon to have a chance of fighting for his black belt.

BEN Tippett became the first member of the Kumo Judo Club in Thetford to gain his black belt.

In his first grading as a senior Ben, 15, had three preliminary fights of which he had to win two with the maximum score of ippon to have a chance of fighting for his black belt. On getting through this round he then had to win another three fights one after the other with ippon. He dispatched his first two opponents quite quickly, however the third fight was against someone much heavier.

With one minute left in the fight his black belt looked in jeopardy but a well-executed shoulder throw gave him the maximum.

Kumo also had three players fighting in the red belt competition. Sonny Kovacs in his first competition, won a bronze medal, Kieran Hamilton silver and Jordan Pradhan gold.

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