Ernest Bevin College’s Phoenix Judo Club marked a treble celebration at a special presentation evening.

The star-studded event marked the official opening of the purpose-built dojo they’ve used since 2007 and they received their Clubmark Bronze Award as well as the London Youth Games boy’s trophy as the club’s players led Wandsworth to glory on 19 June.

The prominent club has cultivated a star-laden roster of alumni, including top rated fighters such as two-time Olympian Winston Gordon and former British international Eric Bonti, both of whom are now employed at their former school.

Ernest Bevin’s much-anticipated Clubmark Bronze Award, which was introduced by Sport England in 2002, recognises their example of good practice and Gordon is delighted with the club receiving such recognition.

“The Award is down to the hard work of people such as Eric and Darren Hawney and it’s great for the club and the school,” said Gordon, who’s now the school’s full-time judo coach.

The event attracted some distinguished names including British judo stalwart Tony Sweeney, a celebrated 9 th Dan who competed at the 1964 Olympics. The popular Brit made the presentation and gave a speech on the tremendous work of everyone involved at the club.

Club founder and former coach, Margaret Hicks, who’s now the British Judo Association’s performance director, was also there.

Japan’s all-time great Kosei Inoue, who currently resides in Edinburgh, led a training session for junior and senior players during the evening.

The retired 32-year-old, a former three-time World Champion and Olympic Gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Games, formed a close bond with Winston Gordon while the pair competed on the world stage.

“We had Tony Sweeney from the Budokwai come down which was great and my friend Mr Inoue which was a huge honour,” said Gordon, who won gold at the Slovenian European Cup on 19 June.

“We were delighted that both could share such a memorable evening with us,” he added.

Gordon’s long-term colleague and former coach, Eric Bonti, said: “The Award is down to everyone who has been involved in judo here, it also recognises the rich history of Ernest Bevin where judo goes right back to the 70’s.”

“Without the school’s assistance in particularly the headmaster Mike Chivers we’d have been unable to integrate the club development along with the schools Judo programme.”

Bonti added: “The BJA has also been instrumental in providing assistance and resources which has enabled the Greenhouse Judo Development Programme to flourish and we’d like to acknowledge this.”

The British Judo Association’s London Development Officer, Tim Edwards said: “It was a fantastic event.

“Around 40 juniors and 40 seniors took part in the session with Kosei Inoue including brothers Jermaine and Theo-Spalding McIntosh, who had been training with Winston all week.

“The London Area President Tony Sweeney awarded Winston Gordon with their Clubmark certificate, as well as awarding Wandsworth, the winning boy’s team at the London Youth Games, with their trophy.”

Club chairman Brian Watts, secretary Andrew Savage and volunteer coordinator Sandy Lewis were thanked for their efforts in securing the newly-awarded status.

The club train at Ernest Bevin College, SW17 7DF. Boys and girls train on Monday and Thursday from 18:00 – 19:30 with men and women training on the same days at 19:30 – 21:00.