Braydon and Sophia are siblings and students at Rye College. As we sat in the hall at the College it was fitting that we should be sitting in front of the statement of the core values of the college: “In our school we are proud, positive, employable, kind and committed.”
Indeed two more committed students to the art of judo would be hard to find. They embody kindness and caring for each other and are extremely positive in all they do, despite having a neurodiverse way of learning. They have just taken part in a major competition in the Netherlands and won medals and trophies making them world champions in judo kata, and European Champions in judo fighting .
Braydon and Sophia’s mum explained: “Sophia has been diagnosed with autism, and has signs of dyslexia. Braydon is severely dyslexic, had bilateral iris coloboma and is awaiting an autism assessment, which is why they qualify to take part in the competitions for the Special Needs Judo Foundation championships.
“Braydon also has a place in the GB adaptive squad for adaptive kata, and he and his sister are the first-ever pairing to represent GB. The first competition will be in either July or September in Europe.
“They show that with a learning difficulty and being neurodiverse they can do anything.
We (as parents) are so proud of them both.
“They train at Westerleigh Judokwai, at Pebsham community centre, twice a week on a Saturday morning and Tuesday evening. The club specialises in mainstream and special needs judo. Their coaches are Paul Everest (Head Coach and founder of Westerleigh Judokwai), Mick Gould, Mark Farley, Tony Brookes and Debbie Sands (all coaches at Westerleigh Judokwai). They also visit other clubs around the county of East Sussex, and have attended training at the national centre of excellence for judo, which is in Walsall. When going on holiday in Lanzarote, both Braydon and Sophia even trained at a local club there for four sessions whilst temperatures were in the high thirties! They are looking forward to training again this year out in Lanzarote.”
The Ben van der Eng Memorial championships are the biggest tournament for Special Needs Judoka (SNJF). The international competition is a pan-disability international competition, and is held in Beverwijk Holland (The Netherlands).
The SNJF’s website explains: “Our mission is to help, support and execute projects whose aim it is to include Special Needs Judoka into both local initiatives and national judo federations. Thus, opportunity grows for the athletes to participate in training and competition and athletes will be challenged to their fullest potential, regardless of their ability. SNJF is convinced that this improves the life of people with a disability, their family, their surroundings and by extension, society as a whole.”
Braydon has also completed his level 1 coaching for judo in March 2024 so that he can help teach the children’s class on a Saturday morning. Sophia has just been given the opportunity to be part of the Sussex Judo Squad, to fight for Sussex in the inter-counties competition in May and will receive her Sussex Squad badge on 5th May to compete the following week.
These stars of the future need sponsorship and are looking for local companies and individuals to help them realise their dreams.
For info about sponsorship email Paula Everest on mrspaulaeverest@gmail.com or ring her on 07926 578 027
Rye College is so proud of these students and encourages all of their pupils to aim for the stars and are thrilled when they achieve their dreams.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Janine Robus .