ANGUS MARSH marked his first selection to represent JudoScotland abroad by securing an impressive podium finish in Luxembourg recently.

The Inverkeithing High School pupil crowned an excellent couple of months for West Fife members of Destination Judo Club by claiming a bronze medal at the Differdange International tournament in the under-50kg cadet class.

Faced with experienced opponents from France, Germany and Belgium, Marsh faced Germany's Philipp Kappis for third place and, after feinting to throw his opponent forwards in his opening attack, he skilfully guided his opponent backwards onto the mat to score ippon and end the contest after just 11 seconds.

That followed another promising performance at the British Schools' Championships in Sheffield, where he finished fifth in the boys' years 10 and 11 under-50kg age group after a successful charge through the repechage tournament to help Inverkeithing High to another top-10 UK finish.

Their star performer this year was Kirsty Lawson, who claimed the girls' years eight and nine under-40kg title.

After winning four fights by ippon by an impressive variety of techniques, Lawson looked as if she would have to settle for the silver medal after losing to K-C Franklin but, after the Sir William Ramsay School competitor lost her own final bout, the West Fifer took the title on points countback.

Inverkeithing's total was further boosted when Lesley Corbett earned a second successive medal at the tournament in the years eight and nine under-44kg category, adding a bronze to last year's silver with a quick-fire win over another English competitor after losing her semi-final to Bradon Forest School's Koga Ishida.

Meanwhile, at the British-ranking Northern Ireland Open, there was success for the Callaghan family as both Isaac and Jocelyn finished runners-up in their respective categories while, not to be outdone, elder brother Jacob continued his own impressive season with an imperious performance at the national grading in Livingston.

He won all five fights to complete his line-up, meaning that he only needs to pass the theory test to attain a coveted black belt at the age of 15 – a rare feat in judo.

The Scottish Grand Prix series, which continues in Aberdeen this weekend, saw a dominant Corbett win gold in her category in the most recent round in Paisley, with Marsh, Lawson and Isaac Callaghan taking silver, and Jacob Callaghan winning bronze.

But, in the AA Band Girls' under-27kg class, Caitlyn Todman produced the most promising performance, winning all four of her fights by ippon in a combined total of less than three minutes to win gold.

Lewis Yates, Charlie Cooper and Elliot Yates also made the podium in the younger age group, and the club’s youngest competitors kept up the high standards at the recent Mini Mons national under-13’s championships in Wishaw.

Elliot Yates again came second in the boys’ under-42 kg class, and Tabitha Callaghan took the bronze medal in the girls’ under-24 kg band, highlighting the strength of the club in all age groups.

Next month, attention will switch to the club’s oldest competitors, 19-year-olds Fiona Todman and Kirsty Marsh, who have both been selected to represent British Universities at the European Universities’ Judo Championships which this year are being held in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, at the end of July.