ELLIOT Burbidge claimed his biggest victory to date as he took gold at the British Schools Championships in Sheffield last weekend.
The 14-year-old, who is a member of Devizes Budo Club, beat four opponents to take the boys’ (Years 8-9) U46kg category national title.
Burbidge, who goes to Melksham Oak School and whose 11-year-old brother Joseph is also at the Devizes club, was backed by dad Mark, 38, a professional judo coach and former England international.
“He went there last year in the U42kg and got a silver medal so he was pretty chuffed this time,” he said.
“He had a game plan going into it because he’d fought a lot of the boys before and he stuck to it.
“It was great to see as a dad but hard too because you had to keep your cool as his coach to help him through it.
“I remember going to British Schools myself when I was younger so I’m really happy for him.''
Elliot, who is also coached at Devizes by Jason Parsons, has been a member of the club for five years and also trains once a week with Team Bath.
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