30th August 2007

BRITISH TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR GB JUDO WORLD CUP

British Judo has announced its team for the 2007 Fighting Films GB World Cup for Men, which will take place at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on the 22nd & 23rd September.

The World Cup, supported by UK Sport, is an Olympic qualification event for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and as hosts Britain can enter up to four players in each of the seven weight categories. Over 36 countries will compete including China, Russia, France, Germany, Portugal, Cuba, USA, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Canada, Slovenia, Albania, Belarus, Norway, and Australia.

China and Cuba are attending due to support from UK Sport both financially and through their memorandum of understanding with China and Cuba.

The British team includes World Champion Craig Fallon who has form at World Cup events having previously won the Prague World Cup, Poland World Cup and Paris Super World Cup. Other previous World Cup gold medallists named in the team are Peter Cousins, who won gold at the Bucharest World Cup in 2005, and Euan Burton who won the Moscow Super World Cup earlier this year.

All six men in the British team for the 2007 World Championships have been named. They are James Millar (-60kg), Jean-Rene Badrick (-66kg), Matthew Purssey (-73kg), Euan Burton (-81kg), Winston Gordon (-90kg), and Peter Cousins (-100kg). The World Championships take place in Rio from the 13 th -16 th September.

Commenting Colin McIver, British Judo’s Performance Director said, “To have an Olympic qualification event on home soil is of advantage to the British team and our Beijing Olympic hopefuls have the ability to win both medals and achieve vital qualification points.”

“This event will also be a one off opportunity for our Development players to compete against the might of countries such as China, France, Cuba, and Georgia. I am sure they will rise to the occasion and produce some fantastic performances”.

Councillor Ray Hassall, the City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, said: "Birmingham City Council is pleased to be supporting this event. We are delighted to be able to showcase another Olympic sport at the National Indoor Arena and we are looking forward to welcoming the competitors from the 36 nations who will be taking part.

“It is great news that Britain will have such a strong team competing at this event and I hope that local people as well as judo fans will come to the GB Judo World Cup and support the British team as they bid for glory and Olympic qualification."

Media Accreditations

Members of the media wishing to attend are reminded that media accreditations are required for this event. To request an accreditation application form please email Emma Griffin at the British Judo Association.

Full Team

Media Contact

Emma Griffin

Head of Communications

British Judo

Email: emmagriffin@britishjudo.org.uk  

Direct Line: +44(0)1509 631 692

Mobile: +44(0)7875 368 495