Spring Grove School – Josh Desmet, IAPS Judo winner

20 Mar 2019

Josh Desmet, a pupil at Spring Grove School in Wye, Kent, came home with an impressive gold medal from the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Judo Championships, held recently at the Judo Centre in High Wycombe. Josh, who is in Year 6 at Spring Grove, came first in the O55 category, winning both his fights in an event that attracted a total of 91 entrants from 28 IAPS schools across the country.

Josh has been learning judo for six years, trains every week and is a yellow belt. He is a seasoned competitor, having taken part in many local competitions and won numerous other medals. He enjoys judo and finds it very useful for developing upper body strength for rugby, which he plays both at school and Canterbury Rugby Club.

Spring Grove School is very proud of Josh’s achievement. Headmaster, Mr Bill Jones said: “We are all thrilled for Josh and his judo success. At Spring Grove we are used to seeing children fill their already busy lives with involvement in all kinds of activities out of school. Josh, who will be moving on to Simon Langton Boys’ Grammar in September, plays club rugby, football and cricket all to an impressively high standard and he still manages to fit in his own judo development. His championship success is well-deserved.”