JUDO: Bolwell's a belter (From This Is Wiltshire)

JUDO: Bolwell's a belter

6:00pm Wednesday 23rd December 2009 in

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A YOUNG judo star has been selected for the England pre-cadet squad – despite only taking up the sport three years ago.

Adam Bolwell, who is a Year Eight pupil at Clarendon College in Trowbridge, has been picked to represent his country after impressing at an assessment day in Sheffield last weekend.

Twelve-year-old Bolwell trains three times a week with the youth section at Bath University, whose facilities are also used once a month by England’s youth team.

“It’s probably the best place for him to train,” said his mum Mandy.

“The England guys wanted to see what he could do so they invited him up to Sheffield.

“We thought it was just for the experience but when he got back he just said ‘Mum, I’m in the squad.’”

Bolwell, who is an orange belt, will now train with the rest of the squad in Bideford and Sheffield throughout the new year.

Parent Mandy admits that he just “fell into the sport.”

“Adam went to holiday camps in Bath during the school holidays and wanted to try taster sessions in judo.

“The coaches said that they wanted to see more of him and it all happened from there.

“Now he’s going to be representing England and I can’t keep him out of the dojo!

“We all think that our kids are talented but when other people start to say it you realise just how amazing they are.”

The young judo starlet admits that he had to heed the warnings of his father who also practiced judo.

“My dad did it and he told me to be careful because he got a few injuries,” said Bolwell.

“I wanted to see if I was any good at it.

“Judo’s just a good way to unwind and you can make friends doing it.

“It’s also a serious sport, which I like.”

Bolwell also says that he had to overcome his nerves to be victorious at the Sheffield assessment day.

“It was very nervewracking.

“One of my coaches couldn’t come with me which made it harder but I’m glad that I got picked.”

The youngster’s first competitive tournament will be January’s Midlands Open in Walsall.

“I’m a bit nervous about it,” said Bolwell.

“There’ll be people there that have beaten me before and also some that I’ve beaten before.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’m going to be representing England.”