STUART JACOBS already appears to be reaping the rewards of attending the National Academy of Judo after he scooped two medals in the last fortnight of international competition to add to his growing collection.

The 17-year-old was awarded a prestigious place at the centre of excellence at Bisham Abbey after a selection panel recognised his talent as potentially world class.

After moving to the academy last month, where the former St Joan of Arc pupil is also studying for a National Diploma in Sports Science, Jacobs has been forced to move up a weight as a result of his intense training regime.

The step up to the under 73kg category does not appear to have hindered Jacobs' progress after he scooped bronze while representing Great Britain in an international tournament in Rotterdam a fortnight ago.

Jacobs, who needs only three points to claim his second dan, followed that up last weekend by claiming gold in a senior two-day international in Clacton.

The Croxley Green based player is also through to Junior National finals to be held at Crystal Palace on the weekend of Saturday, November 10 after being ranked first in the Northern Home Counties trials.

Stuart is not the only member of the Jacobs household celebrating success after his elder brother, Stephen, came out of retirement and was ranked second in the plus 90kg weight at the Northern Home Counties trials and will join his brother at the Nationals.

Bournehall Judo Club in Bushey Grove Road, where Stephen runs a class, appears to have further players on the production line after the performances of Lauren and Jack Attwell at the weekend event in Clacton.

In her first ever competition, Lauren claimed a silver medal in mini-mon competition while Jack competed well and just failed to scoop a medal.

October 20, 2001 15:25