WOKINGHAM judo star Ben Fletcher was delighted to be honoured at the annual Wokingham Borough Sports Council awards but was even more pleased to see trophies go to many others, writes Dave Wright.

The Rio Olympian collected the senior men’s cup on an evening when he was the main guest at a packed-out Bulmershe School hall last Friday.

He told the News: “I had no idea it was coming and it was really nice for people to want to give me that award, but it was great to see so many young people get theirs.

“There could only be one winner in each (category) but for every award, there were a lot of nominees.

"They were from a lot of different sports as well and there were one or two, like aerobic gymnastics, I and others maybe had not heard about, but we have a competitor in the area who is very good at it (aerobics).

“Some people would probably not know about me doing judo, so it is through award evenings like this that achievements are brought to the area’s eyes.”

He added: “These awards are a good way to promote sport in Wokingham, but while some are doing very well, people have to learn there are winners and losers in sport.

"Taking part and enjoying it and challenging yourself is very important.”

Fletcher, who was educated at St Theresa’s Primary School and Emmbrook School, said he is proud to say he is from Wokingham.

Having learned judo at the Pinewood club, the 24-year-old is now based in Bath but often returns home at weekends.

He was the ninth member of the multiple-sport Team Bath to be selected for the Olympics.

“Obviously, I was delighted to have made Rio as I had worked very hard to qualify,” he continued. “You can only qualify through the ranking points, so I had to compete in as many tournaments as possible.”

Competing in the 100kg weight category, he was in a seven-strong British judo team who qualified for the Games.

Fletcher continued: “I didn’t do as well as I had hoped, but that’s made me more determined to qualify for Tokyo. I am at the start of a four-year cycle, and if I qualify I feel I would be capable of challenging for a medal.

"I am doing the best judo of my career, so there’s no reason why I can’t get there. In between, there are also the Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympics is also in my mind.”

Roland Mear, chairman of the Wokingham Sports Council, described Fletcher as a “great example to everyone in the borough and someone for youngsters to aspire to follow.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mear said: "I read in the Telegraph that British children are among the least active in the world and fitness levels have plummeted, a damning international study has found.

"I think you will agree that we (Wokingham Borough) have gone against that particular trend judging by the winners we have tonight and the nominations we had.

"I think it is up to us to go out there and do our bit to encourage others because we don't want this to be a headline again in the next few years.

"Certainly, Wokingham is doing everything to support sport."

Mear said a number of the Wokingham winners will be nominated for the Get Berkshire Active awards which are to be held in Reading next February.

He also announced that he is standing down as chairman of the WBSC and will be replaced by Nigel King.

The awards evening was compered by Jack Sulman.

WBSC thanked all the sponsors and others who supported the evening. They included 1Life, who were the main sponsors, Earley Town Council, Wokingham Borough Council, Wokingham Town Council, Woodley Town Council, Stan Bembenek of BT 2000, St Pauls Cars, the family of Chris Evans, John Cunningham's family, Richard Worth Estate Agents, Pinewood Starr Boxing Club, Ivor Baker, Hurst Bakery, Reading Rugby Club, Wokingham News, The Wokingham Paper and Trinity Mirror Group.

Award winners:

Under-14 girls: Abigail Taylor; Under-14 boys: Louis Hutchings; Under-18 girls: Charlotte West; Under-18 boys: Ross Wheeler; Best primary school: Shinfield St Mary’s; Best senior school: Maiden Erlegh; Senior women: Laura Webb; Senior men: Ben Fletcher; Female team: Woodley Under-13 netball team; Male team: Whiteknights Indoor Bowls Club’s Denny Cup team; Unsung hero: Paul Ferris; Service to Sport, individual: Ali Clarke; Service to Sport, club: Wokingham Walking for Health; Coach of the Year: Dominic Evan-Hart; Volunteer of the Year: Midge Cox; Service to Disabled Sport: Optalis; Courage award: Gillian Frackelton; Spirit of Sport Cup: Christy Eyles-Goldsmith; Excellence in Sport: Olivia Goves; WBSC Chairman’s Award: Reddam gymnastics senior mixed team.