RENZ Christian Vallejera, a pupil at Churchill Community Foundation School, has been accepted as a member of the England Judo squad, Pre-Cadet age band.

RENZ Christian Vallejera, a pupil at Churchill Community Foundation School, has been accepted as a member of the England Judo squad, Pre-Cadet age band.

Originally from the Philippines, Renz Christian Vallejera came to England and was naturalized British in 2005. Renz went to Milton Infants School and then moved on to Churchill Community Foundation School where he is now in Year 9. Renz liked all sports especially football but he took up Judo in 2006, training with the IBC Sakura Bana Judo Kwai of Weston and BJA Weston Judo Club and as a guest at the IBC Tora Judo Kai of Pill and BJA New Star Club of Ashton.

Renz, who is a member of the South West area squad of the International Budo Council (IBC) has been national champion for three years running, national champion for under 30kg in 2007, national champion for under 35kg in 2008, and recently national champion for under 40kg in 2009.

The British Judo Association (BJA) is the UK governing body and Renz is a member of Somerset Judo squad and has represented the West of England at the British championships in 2008 and 2009, and is now ranked fifth in Great Brittan, age and weight banded.

He has also recently had the following successes: Third place bronze at Wiltshire open championships in Devises 2009; firstt place gold at Devon-Cornwall open championships in Plymouth 2009; first place gold at Gloucestershire open championships in Gloucester 2009; first place gold at the Bristol classic championship in Bristol 2010.

With his recent achievements in British and regional championships, Renz was invited to a selection meeting at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and has since been accepted as a member of the England Judo squad, Pre-Cadet age band.