THE Welsh Junior and Youth Open Championships was Kate Walker's first judo competition of 2008.

It resulted in a gold medal for Walker and extended her winning run in British events to 11 months, a total of 36 matches.

There were also three silvers, two bronzes and four fifth places for the Kidderminster-based Samurai squad.

Walker started strongly in the under 63kgs youth section and the three black belts she faced in her first contests were impressively dispatched.

She went on to the final and faced the same girl she beat in the final of the British Senior Trials in December.

The player, currently Walker's main rival for the London Olympics place, was out for revenge.

But the Worcestershire teenager controlled the grips well and an opportunistic foot-sweep gained her the score which won the contest.

Since Walker has now beaten her rival three times in their last four meetings and not conceded a score against her for more than three years, it keeps her in pole position for the Olympic place.

Walker's brother Tom also started well and a series of maximum-point wins took him into the final of the under 81kgs youth section.

He was up against a high-quality second-level black belt and had to settle for silver.

Sarah Biles continued to establish herself as Samurai's most successful junior player.

Biles started with spectacular maximum-point throws in her first two contests and went on to the semi-final untroubled.

She was up against the tough Irish Republic number one player who had beaten several top British players.

But the girl was totally overwhelmed by Biles, who gained several high scores to get herself into the final. It should have been an easy match but she struggled to get going.

After going a minor penalty score down and chasing the contest, Biles ran out of time and had to settle for silver.

Charis Hancocks was also going well in the juniors and she swept into the final.

Hancocks dominated the contest but the powerful opponent turned her into a groundhold and won the match.

Sam Woodward started well in the boys' heavyweights but marginally lost the match for bronze and finished fifth.

However, there was also a junior boys' open category and he earned a bronze.

Back in the youth section, Katherine Lloyd Jones was on good form and managed a series of fine wins, including an overwhelming victory against a black belt, to grab a bronze.

Grant Jones looked to be heading for the final of his category but he was struggling with a virus and, despite three good wins, he just missed out, finishing fifth.

Rachel Moon also ended up fifth, including an early candidate for throw of the year in one of her contests.

Jack Nelson scored a fine maximum-point throw on his way to fifth place.

Nelson was unlucky not to be in the finals and gave a superb performance.

Frankie Marston was twice winning by high scores but lost out to groundholds in the dying seconds.

Millie Hancocks also clocked up a spectacular maximum-point score and some good performances.