Projects director James Hornsby, who featured on the cover of the August issue of RailStaff, has won a silver medal at the Veteran World Judo Championships in Cancún, Mexico.
In the 81kg weight category, James overcame opponents from Brazil, Canada, Colombia and Argentina before losing by a waza-ari – the second highest score a fighter can achieve – in the final to champion Alexander Konovalov.
James, who works for ESG Rail in Derby, said: “It was amazing to get to the final because that’s the first time you are guaranteed a medal and a great achievement, but straight after the final you have to emotionally deal with losing.
“Then later on after the whole day sinks in you are more relaxed. On reflection it was just brilliant.”
The competition was organised between October 17-20, with 25 competitors in total representing Team GB.
James began competing at the age of 12 and earlier this year secured a gold medal on his debut at the Veteran European Judo Championships, also in the 81kg weight category.
James intends to reach his next grade in the dan ranking system in 2019, moving up from 3rd to 4th, by gaining points through fighting.
Picture caption: On the podium (L-R): James Hornsby, Alexander Konovalov (Russia), Rafael Perichon (Argentina), and Everson Silva (Brazil).
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