First major event of the year for GB’s VI Team

A six-strong team will head out to Germany today to start their competitive year against the world’s elite players at the 2010 Visually Impaired German Open, taking place on Saturday 30th January.

Brothers Joe (-100kg) and Sam Ingram (-90kg) from Coventry, will be competing alongside each other in their respective weight categories once again. Paralympic bronze medalist Sam took the silver medal at this event in 2007, and has had recent success, taking a bronze medal at the VI European Championships last year.

Joe also shared success in 2009, taking a silver medal at the Europeans, his best result since coming back to the sport after a two year break.

2009 World Youth Games silver medalist, Dan Powell will be notably absent from the competition due to injury, older brother Marc Powell will contest the -73kg weight category.  Dan will join the rest of the team at the training camp held afterwards.

Paralympian Ben Quilter returns to compete in the -60kg weight category for Britain. Quilter has form at this event, taking a silver medal in 2008, and gold in 2006.

Completing the lineup, Steve Turbitt will compete in the -73kg competition and Alex Farrington will compete in the women’s competition in the -52kg weight category.

In the build up to the World Championships in March in Turkey, this event will be an important start to the competitive year for the VI team.

Commenting on the selection, Paralympic Programme Manager Dave Sanders, said, “The team has been waiting a long time for the first Paralympic event since the 2009 European championships in July. 

“Preparation has gone well despite a few recent injuries and illnesses.  That said I am expecting strong performances from all members of the team and it will certainly be an indicator of how we are fairing against the world’s best– or rather, how the world’s best are fairing against the ever stronger British Team.”

©Mike Varey

Media Contact:

Nicola Turner

British Judo Association

(t) 01509 631692/07854 244343

nicola.turner@britishjudo.org.uk