12th March 2008

British Judo announce European Championship Team

An experienced line up has been announced for the 2008 European Championships, which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from the 11 th -13 th April.   Eight of the 12 strong team are former European medallists, with four previously holding the European title on at least one occasion.

The Championships mark the end of a year long qualification campaign for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.   Three British spots, in the women’s -78kg weight category, men’s -81kg weight category, and men’s -100kg weight category, were automatically qualified at the 2007 World Championships.

In a number of other weight categories British players are sitting in commanding positions in the qualification zone but BJA Director of World Class Programmes, Margaret Hicks, has warned that ‘it is important that players focus on good performances, rather than looking at Olympic ranking lists’.

There is also hope for those currently sitting some way from the qualification zone as the Championships provide them with the opportunity to produce a medal winning performance, which could secure an additional place for team.

Craig Fallon has been named in the -60kg weight category.  The former World and European Champion is currently sitting inside the qualification zone, in 2 nd place, and mathematically this weight category is secure for Britain.

Another weight category mathematically secure for Britain is the -63kg weight category.  Former European Champion Sarah Clark, who has been named for Lisbon, is currently sitting comfortably in the top spot.  As is Michelle Rogers in the -78kg weight category, making the British place at this weight category also confirmed for Beijing.

Winston Gordon, named in the -90kg weight category, needs to maintain his current position just inside the qualification zone in order to qualify the GB place.   The Athens Olympian looked strong in the last World Cup of the season winning bronze, and has the ability to win medals at this level, having won bronze at the 2006 European Championships.

Sally Conway will compete in the -70kg weight category and being just outside the qualification zone needs at least a top 8 finish in Lisbon. 

Georgina Singleton (-52kg), Faith Pitman (-57kg) Colin Oates (-66kg) and Matt Purssey (-73kg) have all been named in the team.  All four need to produce medal winning performance in order to qualify their weight categories.

World and European medallists Euan Burton, Peter Cousins and Karina Bryant will compete in the -81kg, -100kg, and +78kg weight categories respectively. 

No selections have been made in the –48kg weight category or +100kg.

Karen Roberts, World Class Operations Manager and Head of Delegation said, “The European Championships is one of the hardest competitions of the season- even outside of an Olympic Year. However our competitors go into all events of this level with the same objective - to win.  As the last qualifying event for Beijing, it is still within every competitors grasp to secure the weight qualification, and they are all capable of doing so.’’