Black belt for Sarah

Leaney reached the milestone when she successfully passed her theory examination in front of Mark Denny, a County Dan grade examiner. She had secured her 100 points by competitive grading in March and waited until her summer exams were finished before attempting the theory section.

Leaney took up the sport when she was only five, reaching the highest Kii grade along with her brother Joel. Initially she didn't like the competitive aspect of the sport and temporarily gave up from eight until she reached 11.

Since then she has gone from strength to strength, landing the title of Sussex champion for the last three years, twice as a junior and latterly as a senior. She has consistently been included in the Sussex squad for the last five years and was voted Sports Personality of the Year at the Hailsham & District awards last year, as well as a receiving a grant for her continued success.

Not content with being Sussex champion, she fought for and won the British Schools Judo Association National Individual Championship, as well as winning inclusion into the south of England squad.