Wiltshire soldiers win medals (From Wiltshire Times)

Wiltshire soldiers win medals

10:31am Saturday 29th July 2006 in General Sport

JUDO: TWO Wiltshire soldiers have won bronze medals at the Commonwealth judo tournament.

The awards were recently presented to Captain Simon Childs and Lance Corporal Roger Sainsbury, of The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry (RGBW LI), after a gruelling competition against 21 other nations.

The event, hosted by Northern Ireland, follows their success in the International Army Judo Championships in which both soldiers received a well earned gold medal for the British forces.

Despite a third consecutive heavyweight title under his belt, L Cpl Sainsbury, who is a member of the RGBW LI Army Youth Team, needed all of his experience and skills as he competed against the reigning Commonwealth gold and silver medallists to clinch another victory.

He said: "I knew that the opening contest against the Commonwealth silver medallist was going to be really difficult and, despite the narrow defeat, I fought well and it boosted my confidence for a win in the next game.

"Facing two of the Northern Irish contestants afterwards on their home-ground could have been difficult but, fortunately, I managed to overcome this and beat both for the bronze medal."

Captain Childs fought in the light heavyweight category and he performed some spectacular moves during a demanding first round to overcome his first opponent and achieve the maximum score. By forcing his second opponent to surrender, he also secured a bronze medal.