Despite many injuries forcing a smaller selection for this year’s U23 European Championships, held in Antalya, Turkey from the 20th-22nd November, the British players returned with two bronze medals and two 7th places.

Taking a bronze medal was -70kg judoka Gemma Gibbons, who narrowly missed out on a medal last year, finishing fifth. Gibbons has been on top form this year taking a silver medal at the Swedish Open and representing her University in the World University games and taking bronze.

Storming through the preliminary rounds, Gibbons beat Katharina Hilger of Germany in her first fight and Lucile Perrotte of France in her second fight, placing her in the semi final against 2008 U23 European gold medallist Linda Bolder of the Netherlands.

Starting strong Gibbons put in several attacks and her opponent received a warning for dropping. However, as the fight progressed, Bolder waited for Gibbons to press forward to attack and the Netherlands fighter turned in to throw Gibbons winning her the fight.

Fighting for the bronze medal, Gibbons overcame her left-handed opponent, Jennifer Pitzanti of Italy, and launched in for an impressive throw, winning her bronze medal.

Taking the second bronze medal for Great Britain was Ashley McKenzie in the -60kg competition.

Progressing to the quarter final after a bye in the first round and seeing off the challenge from Spain’s Daniel Pions, McKenzie faced Julien Ottaviani of France, who was this year’s GB World Cup silver medallist.

McKenzie slowly built up momentum against the French player, but was caught in the final minute in Ottaviani’s attack, and lost by ippon score. Left to fight through the repechage, McKenzie beat Matjaz Trbovc of Slovenia, placing him in the bronze medal fight.

With the bronze medal up for grabs McKenzie fought Anatoliy Laskuta of the Ukraine. Scoring early on in the fight, he kept in control and eventually dispatched his opponent with a big ippon throw to win a well deserved bronze medal.

Finishing in 7th place was Bath Judo Club’s Jan Gosiewski (-73kg) and Samurai’s Kate Walker (-63kg). Samantha Clark suffered from a tough draw against Barbara Maros of Hungary in her first fight, who also beat Clark in the -52kg final at the Swedish Open this year. Also going out first round was Connie Ramsay (-57kg) and Jean-Rene Badrick (-66kg).

The final player in Britain’s selection to compete was Michael Horley whose debut at this level was cut short, after he drew the no.1 seeded player Max Schirnhofer of Austria  in the opening contest of  the -90kg class.

Performance Director, Margaret Hicks who travelled with the delegation to Antalya said: “ Overall some improved performances across the team, with a couple of good medal wins from Ashley McKenzie and Gemma Gibbons, both demonstrating some excellent throwing skills. Although not a major improvement in terms of medals from last year, this is a positive result to work on.

“Also interesting to note was that five other players in the GB team were only stopped by players who medalled. In terms of 2012 this event provided an important step on the ladder - some of these players now have a great opportunity to succeed at the senior elite level.”

Head Coach, Patrick Roux explained that, “the main target for 2010, which will be a transition period for these players, is to connect a number of judo players to the international level of performance.

“This stage will be very important in the four year strategy and the performances at the weekend are a positive foundation for this. It is clear that the strategy of our strength and conditioning, the technical input of the coaching team and the exposure of these players to various camps in their preparation is beginning to provide the improvements we need.”

Ashley McKenzie on the2009 U23 European Championships medal rostrum

Media Contact:

Nicola Turner

British Judo Association

(t) 01509 631692

nicola.turner@britishjudo.org.uk