Neyland judo club’s Helen Weatherburn has had a busy few months fighting in major competitions all over Britain and producing some fine performances for Wales.

Last September Helen fought in the UK School Games putting on a fine display to win a silver medal for her country, losing only in the final of the event.

This is the second year running that she has taken a medal in what is the premier schools sporting event.

She was called up again in October to represent Wales under-18 at the British national judo championship in Sheffield.

Nearly 800 youngsters took part in the two-day event, which is the high point of the year. Helen lost only one of her six fights, to the eventual winner of the competition, and went on to win a bronze.

Sir Thomas Picton School pupil Helen then represented Wales at the Scottish Open championship in both junior and senior categories celebrating her 17th birthday on the day of the event.

Fighting against teams from France, Germany, Norway and Denmark, as well as from the home countries, Helen did well to come away with a bronze medal in the junior event.

Helen again took a bronze in the Senior Welsh Open losing only to the two finalists and gaining valuable points to give her the position of eighth in the senior British rankings despite still being a junior.

At the end of last month Helen took part in the Senior north west England open tournament, a British ranking event, fighting some of the top players in Britain.

She produced her finest form so far and fought her way to a gold medal, her first in a senior event of such a high calibre. The result should improve her position in the British ranking system and help her to push for a place in the British judo team.