A DALGETY Bay teenager has lifted her third successive national judo title after battling to the top at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Centre.
Kirsty Marsh, 15, of Dunfermline’s Destination Judo Club, excelled at the Scottish Age Band Championships to crown a fine first year in the Cadet (under 18) age group. 
She won the Girls’ under 52 kg category after three gruelling fights, the highlight of which was an ippon win over Scottish number one Rae Anderson of Peebles’ Judo Club Esprit. 
The 17-year-old Borderer led the fight by wazari as it entered its final 30 seconds, only for the Inverkeithing High pupil to unleash a devastating harai goshi throw to end the contest and retaining her Scottish crown.
Clubmate Emma Forrest built on her recent success in Europe at the Flanders Judo Cup to take her first Scottish title and her ninth successive tournament win. 
The Dunfermline High School pupil had to do it the hard way, as her Pre-Cadet (under 15) Girls’ under 52 kg class was combined with the weight group above. 
Forrest, 14, reeled off three straight wins to become Scottish champ for the first time. 
Although the final against Clyde JC’s Melissa McGill ended scoreless, her superior fitness began to tell in Golden Score time, and a lunging technique scoring ippon ended the fight in her favour. 
Ryan Turnbull also made the podium in a very competitive Cadet Boys’ under 73kg class, with a couple of excellent ippon wins en route to a hard-earned bronze medal. 
The St Columba’s High School pupil has had to work hard to adapt his judo in his first year in the Cadet ranks, but an encouraging performance at Ravenscraig will increase his confidence ahead of next month’s British Championships in Sheffield.
Younger members also did the club proud with Kirsty Lawson, who trains with the club’s Dalgety Bay branch under Calum Woods, the third player to lift a national title. 
She won the Scottish AA Band (under 11) Girls’ under 28 kg class with a final triumph against Sophie Mapplebeck of Highland Budokan, 
There was also a very strong performance from while 11-year-old Angus Marsh in the Minor (under 13) Boys’ under 30 kilo group . 
The Donibristle Primary School pupil took the bronze medal by winning his first four fights before eventually losing out to Hibari Kan JC’s Mason Shankley in the final.
Carnegie JC fighters also enjoyed a successful weekend. 
Maisie Wallace came third in the Minor Girls’ over 48 kg class, arguably the most competitive of the first day, whilst Ewan Forfar repeated the feat in the Pre-Cadet Boys’ under 55kg category. 
Rebekah Mill, however, was the star performer. The Woodmill High School pupil showed all the experience which she has gained fighting on the UK circuit by taking a well-deserved silver medal in the Cadet Girls’ over 70 kg competition.