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Hayley Willis won three
of her four fights on the opening day of the European Cadet Championships
in Cottonera, Malta, to claim a highly-impressive bronze medal.
The -44kg judoka, from
Stratford Judo Club, started her tournament with a win over France’s
Florine Belle.
Willis, 15, followed up
by beating Moldova’s Cristina Budescu before losing a semi-final
against Russian Irina Dolgova.
In the bronze medal contest
Willis fought France’s Stephanie Gerno and scored a yuko as her
opponent amassed two shido’s.
Trevor Sitlinton, head
of the delegation, said: “I’m really proud of Hayley, she’s performed
incredibly well.
“It’s been a long day,
it’s been very hot in Malta, but Hayley, who’s not 16 until November,
really showed how talented she is.
“It’s a hard tournament,
she’s gone up against the best Europe has and to come away with
bronze is fantastic. The whole team is delighted for her.”
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