19 th February 2007

FOUR EUROPEAN GOLD MEDALLISTS IN BRITISH TEAM NAMED FOR APRIL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

British Judo has announced its team for the 2007 European Championships, which will take place in Belgrade, Serbia from the 6 th -8 th April.

Craig Fallon (left in the Koka Kids magazine following his 2006 triumph) will go into the event as the reigning European Champion. The 24-year-old, who also holds the World title, has been out of action since a shoulder operation in November 2006. He has made a promising recovery to take his place in the team.

The second Brit going in as a reigning European Champion is Sarah Clark - right. The –63kg player has had a good start to 2007 claiming bronze at the British Open and 5 th at the recent Paris Super World Cup.

The Championships will mark the welcome return of two experienced players. Four-times European Champion, Karina Bryant (left on the front cover of Matside after winning her 2005 European title), who returned in January from a six-month strength and conditioning period in Australia.

Georgina Singleton, who took the European title in 2002, has been out of international action since 2005. Singleton will compete in the –57kg weight category. Sophie Johnstone has been selected for the –52kg weight category, and Michelle Rogers at –78kg.

In the men’s team Joe Delehay (right) has been selected at +100kg, 2005 European bronze medallist Euan Burton appears in the –81kg weight category, and 2006 European bronze medallist Winston Gordon takes the –90kg spot.

For the third consecutive major Championships Peter Cousins (below left) steps up to –100kg, from his usual –90kg category. Cousins won bronze at this weight at the 2006 European Championships.

Jean-Rene Badrick (-66kg), left, and Sally Conway (-70kg), right, both make their Senior European debuts.

At 17-years-old Badrick is the youngest Brit to be selected for the Senior European Championships in recent years.

19-year-old Sally Conway won silver at the 2006 Junior World Championships so will be looking to make a mark at a senior level as the Olympic qualification period begins.

The 2007 European Championships will be the first Olympic qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Games - with those who place or win a medal earning ranking points.

The 2007 World Championships, which takes place in Brazil in September, is the most important qualifier as the medallists and those who place in 5 th place, win automatic qualification.

Ranking points can also been collected throughout the European World Cup circuit – the GB World Cup will take place in Birmingham on the 22 nd & 23 rd September.

No selections have been made in the –48kg weight category.

Commenting Colin McIver, British Judo High Performance Director said, “This team contains both established players with proven medal winning ability in Europe, together with new young talent coming through.”

“Europe is no doubt the most difficult continent to qualify from for the Olympic Games, with so many quality players chasing few available spots. As this is the first Olympic qualification event it will give us an indication of the task ahead as we try and qualify as many players as possible for Beijing,” he added.

For further information:

Emma Reed

British Judo

Head of Communications

(t) 01509 631 692

(m) 07875 368495

The team depart the UK for the European Championships on Wednesday 4 th April.

Full Team