WALTON Judo Club’s Rowan Lockyear added to his medal tally at the Eastern Area Open.

The Active Tendring 2015 Junior Sports Personality was competing in his first domestic competition since Easter.

However, rather than just dipping his toe in the water, he jumped in with both feet, entering the cadet, junior and senior categories.

Lockyear faced a strong field of cadet players (under-18s) and a tough draw, with a fellow England squad member in every round.

A slow start in the first two rounds saw him take his time in eventually winning the first contest by an arm lock.

He then came from a score behind to hold down his second opponent for maximum points.

The semi-final saw an evenly-matched contest with a Waza ari score apiece taking the contest into extra-time, after the first four minutes.

After another two minutes and two more near scores, the contest was won with a fantastic foot sweep.

Lockyear’s excellent conditioning meant he recovered well for the final against a top player that had spent a considerably less time on the mat.

Superior gripping put Lockyear in control and, after a number of attacks, he was able to put his opponent into an arm lock for the submission and the gold and a significant move up the national rankings.

The 17-year-old also entered the junior (under-21s) competition and raised his game, competing with great tactics and technique to overcome all his opponents, including the British number four junior and add another gold medal to the collection.

This was soon followed by the senior men’s category, in which a tough pool stage was intended to just be an opportunity to give Lockyear some great contest experience.

With the current British number five as his first opponent, the Walton player raised his game and led throughout the contest by a small penalty.

However, with the contest getting close to the end, Lockyear counter attacked with an impressive Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw) for maximum points.

Continuing his fine form, Lockyear progressed from the pool stage to the knockout and the semi-finals where, despite going the distance against the British number nine, a third gold was not going to happen and he had to be content with a bronze medal.