JUDO: Samurai Judo Club's haul of medals for 2002 came to nearly 400 as members celebrated one of their most successful years ever.

The boys picked up 185 medals in competitions with the girls not far behind on 136.

The seniors continued to have a quieter time than in the past but even so the men clocked up 37 medals and the ladies 29.

Kate Walker headed the list with a staggering 26, including a bronze in a Belgium International event representing Great Britain.

Walker also claimed a medal at the British Junior National Championships for the third successive year, the first Samurai to do that since British Police champion Debbie Read a decade ago.

John Connor, also a medallist at the British nationals, came second with 15 and just edged Amy Darch, who topped the list last year, into third place.

Tom Walker was fourth but his wins included becoming British national judo champion.

Best newcomer was Greg Oertel who finished eighth on 10 medals and also impressed at the nationals with a bronze.

Samurai saw two of their most senior players, heavyweight Paul Jones and veteran Roy Muller, gain fifth-level black belts, the highest contest grade in judo.

There were six other black-belt promotions, including Joyce Malley's fourth dan and Keith Waldron's third dan.

In competition, the greatest senior success was Kevin Moane who took silver at the World Veterans Championships in Ireland.

Jones gained bronze at the British National Veterans, while the younger Paul Clarke proved a success with four golds in his nine-medal haul.

Samurai won the Midlands junior referee of the year award with K Walker pipping Ben Newbury.

In the seniors, Carol Leverton became a national B level referee and Keith Merrick edged closer to the prized status of international referee.

Samurai also dominated the Midlands Kata Championships and took three golds in wrestling at the British Kurash Championships.

They have around 140 members and are moving the Tuesday senior session to Mondays where the top older juniors can benefit from some experience.

Meanwhile, Bewdley Judo Club made a welcome return to activity last year, picking up their first medals for a while with Jake Bastable giving them their best result.

For details about starting judo, call Pam Whiteside on 01299 822347 or visit the Samurai website at www.samurai.org.uk