A NORTH Craven teenager has successfully defended her judo title of British Schools Champion for the second year running.

Esmeè Holgate, 14, of High Bentham, fought and beat her rivals in Sheffield on Saturday, March 14.

Her mother, Cherry Holgate, said: "The success was a fantastic result which followed on from the previous weekend where she fought at the Scottish Championships in the cadet under 18 years category where she became the current British champion and Youth Olympian.

Esmeè, a student at Queen Elizabeth’s in Kirkby Lonsdale, trains at Craven Judo Academy and is coached by ex-judo fighter Danny Harper.

The youngster, who took up the sport at the age of eight and has represented her club, county and country, has been part of the England Development programme and medalled for her country on three separate occasions.

Esmeè, who won a silver and a bronze medal in the 52kg junior category at the International Open in Holland last autumn, won Cumbria’s Rising Sports Star Award in November 2019.

She has also done personal training for strength and conditioning at TNT in Ingleton with Tomi Tatham.