14th August 2007

30 Countries to compete in 2007 GB Judo World Cup for Men

British Judo has today confirmed that 30 countries will compete in the 2007 Fighting Films GB World Cup for Men, which is supported by UK Sport, and will take place at the Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on the 22nd & 23rd September.

Around 200 competitors will entertain the crowds over the two days at this British hosted Olympic qualifier, which is likely to be the last time that many of Britain’s Olympic stars compete on home soil before Beijing.

The West Midland’s very own Craig Fallon, who trains at the Hardy Spicer Judo Club in Birmingham, will compete in front of a home crowd. One of the most spectacular fighters around at the moment in the world, he is sure to help bring in a capacity crowd when he competes on Saturday 22 nd

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The British team, who as hosts can enter up to four players per weight category, will also include European medallist and Athens Olympian Winston Gordon. Gordon is a fighter that rises to the big occasion. A big thrower, with brilliant gripping that confounds his opponents, he will be one of the crowd pleasers on Sunday 23 rd . As will Euan Burton who is currently ranked number one on the Olympic classification table for European fighters at –81kg.

Countries confirmed include China, Russia, France, Germany, Portugal, Cuba, USA, Spain, Belgium, Estonia, Holland, Slovakia, Denmark, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Canada, Slovenia, Albania, Belarus, Norway, Australia, Finland, Latvia, Ghana, Poland, Austria, Croatia, and the Ukraine.

The event will be held a week after the World Championships in Brazil so newly crowned World Champions are likely to compete.

As a qualification event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it will no doubt be a spectacular battle for valuable qualification points amongst the World’s best.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the NIA box office on 0870 909 4144. Priced at £14 per person per day for adults and £6 per person per day for children.

Saturday 22 nd September: -60kg, -66kg, -73kg

Sunday 23 rd September: -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, +100kg

Media Invite

Members of the media wishing to attend should contact Emma Griffin on 01509 631 692/07875 368495 or by email on emmagriffin@britishjudo.org.uk to request an accreditation form.

Media Contact:

Emma Griffin

Head of Communications

(t) 01509 631 692