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British Judo has named
the team for the 2006 Junior European Championships, which will
take place in Tallinn, Estonia from 8 th-10 th September.
The Championships are the highest-level
junior tournament in Europe, and for some, it will be the pinnacle
before they attempt to breakthrough at a senior level.
Gemma Gibbons has been
selected in the squad for the third consecutive year. The 19-year-old
competed in the -78kg weight category on both previous appearances,
finishing twice just outside the medals in 5 th place. The Londoner
has since moved down a weight category, and enjoyed some medal
success on the senior curcuit, so will hoping to earn a rostrum
spot this time around.
Another player making a
return to the Championships is Charlotte Farbon, who has been
named in the 48 kg weight category for the second time. The 19-year-old
picked up gold at the Junior Estonian A tournament in April
this year.
The Brits travel to Estonia
after a successful junior A tournament season. David Groom,
who has been selected in the 81 kg weight category, won two golds
during the year, while Marcus Bscombe, Kimberley Renicks and Abbie
Cunningham, each won one a piece.
Most of the 14-strong squad
have recently returned from a training camp in Cuba, which was
supported by UK Sports Memorandum of Understanding. With Cuba
being one of the strongest judo nations in the world (winning
six Olympic medals in Athens) it is hoped that the experience
has provided the young team with second to none preparation for
the Championships.
Commenting on the team
Colin McIver, British Judo High Performance Director said, The
squad has proven themselves at Junior A tournaments this year,
however they now need to step up to the mark in Estonia.
As always the European
nations will no doubt provide us with very tough competition,
however, I hope to see some of our talented team challenging for
medals during the Championships.
Full Team
Weight
Category |
Name
|
Home
Town |
Club
|
Date
of Birth |
Men |
|
|
|
|
-60KG
|
NATHON BURNS |
Blackburn
|
Wolverhampton
University |
9/3/89
|
-66KG
|
MARCUS
BASCOMBE |
Poole
|
University
of Bath |
24/7/87
|
-73KG
|
JEROME
ROBINSON-REID |
Wembley
|
Willesden
JC |
12/8/88
|
-81KG
|
DAVID
GROOM |
Bacup
|
Bacup
JC |
3/8/88
|
-90KG
|
STUART
AUSTIN |
Lichfield
|
Hardy
Spicer 83 (Birmingham) |
29/6/88
|
-100KG
|
LUKE
HUGHES |
Wolverhampton
|
Wolverhampton
JC |
29/6/88
|
+100KG
|
THEO
SPALDING-MCINTOSH |
Forest
Gate |
Willesden
JC |
21/7/89
|
Women |
|
|
|
|
-48KG
|
CHARLOTTE
FARBON |
Reading
|
Pinewood
JC |
23/11/87
|
-52KG
|
KIMBERLEY
RENICKS |
Coatbridge
(Scotland) |
Scottish
Institute of Sport |
11/2/88
|
-57KG
|
REBECCA
DUNNING |
Lawley,
Shropshire |
Hardy
Spicer 83 (Birmingham) |
25/2/88
|
-63KG
|
KATE
WALKER |
Kidderminster
|
Samurai
JC |
11/7/89
|
-70KG
|
GEMMA
GIBBONS |
Charlton
|
Metro
JC |
6/1/87
|
-78KG
|
SALLY
CONWAY |
Bristol
|
Edinburgh
Club |
1/2/87
|
+78KG
|
ABBIE
CUNNINGHAM |
Warrington
|
SKK
JC |
18/2/87
|
|