UK to Stage Judo Olympic Qualifying Event

World-class judo will return to Birmingham in September when the GB Judo World Cup for men will be staged at the National Indoor Arena on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd September.

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

Current World Champion Craig Fallon will be hoping to retain his title at the World Championships, so the World Cup event in Birmingham could be a triumphant homecoming if he does make a successful defence. Other Brits will include current European medallist Winston Gordon, Moscow Super World Cup gold medallist Euan Burton, European bronze medallist Peter Cousins, and former US Open Champion, Bobby Rich

As an Olympic qualifier the event will attract teams from across the globe. Cuba, Russia, Portugal and the USA are already confirmed, with more to be announced in the forthcoming weeks. The event is being organised by British Judo with support from UK Sport and Birmingham City Council’s International Sports Unit. It is sponsored by Fighting Films.

UK Sport’s International Director, John Scott, said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting a Judo World Cup in this country. This competition is extra special as it is also acting as a qualification event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It will be a fantastic opportunity for players to pick up valuable qualification points.”

The GB World Cup for men follows on from the successful staging of the women’s World Cup at the NIA in 2006, where Britain won four medals.

Scott McCarthy, British Judo’s Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be returning to Birmingham for another World Cup event and are sure this one will be just as successful as last year’s women’s event. The GB Judo World Cup will provide the perfect platform for our British Judo players to sample the excitement of competing in front of a home crowd who will hopefully inspire them to perform to the best of their abilities. We will have a strong squad competing so there is a good chance of medals for the home crowd to cheer.”

Councillor Ray Hassall, the City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said: “Birmingham City Council is delighted to be supporting this event and I would encourage local people to go and watch these world class sportsmen compete as it is a great opportunity to see some of the potential medallists for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Every year Birmingham hosts a wide variety of prestigious sports events and the GB Judo World Cup is an important addition to this list.”

Tickets for the World Cup have now gone on sale and can be purchased from the NIA Box Office: on 0870 909 4144 or by logging onto www.necgroup.co.uk/boxoffice

Tickets are priced £14 per adult per day and £6 per child/senior citizen per day.