SURREY'S young judoka William Johnson is being tipped for a run at the medals when he competes at the European Cadets Championships in the Czech Republic next weekend.

Johnson, 15, who trains at Yoshin Ryu Judo Club, in Coulsdon, will be competing in the U55kg weight category in Teplice on June 25 and 26 against Europe's finest young judo players.

The teenager's club coach, Adam Plinston, has high praise for his star student.

"I've been coaching for around 20 years now and William is by far the most talented judoka I have taught, including other students who competed at national level in the past," he said.

"After one class I spoke to my coach and told him whatever 'it' was, they had it. His natural ability was so good that I would show him a throw and by the end of the lesson he would be turning everyone over with it.

"After a couple of weeks I had to move him up a class. He has now progressed to the senior sessions and despite the obvious weight, strength and age disadvantages, he has thrived and is getting valuable exposure to senior judo with a number of Dan grades."

Plinton, a third Dan, is encouraged by Johnson's maturity and approach to training.

"William knows that the only way to improve and get results is by hard work on the mat," he said.

"Every lesson his work rate is 100 per cent. When training with less experienced players, he will focus on a particular part of his game such as left-handed techniques or escaping from holds, he does this without any prompting.

"The European Championship is clearly a step up in class, but he is there on merit. He will need a good draw, to be positive and get off to a good start in his first fight, but I believe William has it in him to produce a medal at this event."

The highly regarded Johnson undertook his final preparations for judo's junior showpiece event at a three-day training camp at Kendal Judo Club last weekend.

Yoshin Ryu Judo Club train at Coulsdon Martial Arts Centre, Woodcote Grove Road, Coulsdon, on Mondays at 7.15-8.30pm and Thursdays at 8.45-10pm.