Britain will this year hold a GB World Cup for both Men & Women, which will be the biggest judo World Cup ever held in Britain.

It is the first time that a World Cup for both Men & Women has been held in the UK and follows on from the Women’s World Cups held in 2006 and 2008 and the Men’s World Cup held in 2007.

The event will return to Birmingham for the fourth year running and will take place at the NIA, on the 19th & 20th September.

The GB World Cup forms part of the new World Ranking system, announced by the International Judo Federation (IJF), which commenced on the 1st January and contributes to 2012 Olympic qualification and each individuals World standing.

The circuit features four Grand Slams (Paris, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo), five Grand Prix (Hamburg, Tunis, United States of America, Beijing and Abu Dhabi) and 17 World Cups, including the GB World Cup, plus the Masters to be held in Seoul this year.

Regarded as one of the best staged on the World circuit, the British event will again attract competitors from across the globe, and will be staged with assistance from UK Sport Lottery funding and Birmingham City Council.

New IJF rules changes have changed the face of World judo in recent months including the removal of the repechage from Grand Slam tournaments (Paris, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo) meaning there is no opportunity to fight for the bronze medal if a player loses prior to the semi-final. The repechage has also been reduced in all other international tournaments meaning obtaining a good World ranking and favourable seeding is vital. Home crowd advantage will be invaluable for the British judoka in Birmingham.

Tickets will go on sale to British Judo Association members in April and the general public in May.

Densign White, Chairman of the British Judo Association said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to host both Men and Women in 2009. In my capacity as EJU Sports Director I attend most of the events on the circuit and without a doubt the British tournament is one of the best staged in the World. I hope the British spectators will continue to support our teams at this event as they head towards 2012.”

Scott McCarthy, Chief Executive of the British Judo Association said, “The event is growing dramatically in terms of size and reputation and this is another logical step in our quest to build this event into one of the best in the world.  We look forward to a truly special weekend in Birmingham and thank UK Sport and Birmingham City Council for the tremendous support to make it all possible”.

Clare Hartley, Events Consultant at UK Sport, said: “UK Sport is delighted to support the GB World Cup with up to £125,000 from our Lottery-funded World Class Events Programme. The main driver for such investment is to support sports’ performance aspirations. From that perspective, the real bonus of hosting this event on home soil means we are able to enter double the number of British judokas compared to similar events overseas. That obviously provides more opportunities for Britain’s most talented competitors to pit their wits at a world level, allowing them to clock up valuable ranking points for 2012 in the process.”

Councillor Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture for Birmingham City Council said: "I am delighted that the GB Judo World Cup will return to Birmingham for a fourth consecutive year. As it is a combined men's and women's event in 2009 it will be the biggest GB Judo World Cup this city has ever staged, which is excellent news for Birmingham. This event will be a great opportunity for local people to support the GB team as they look to gain valuable ranking points on the road to the London 2012 Olympic Games."

Media Enquires:

Emma Griffin

Communications Director

(t) 01509 631692

(e) emmagriffin@britishjudo.org.uk

© Mike Varey