Great Britain’s Gemma Howell and Luke Taylor have both won bronze medals on the second day of competition at the 2008 Junior World Championships, taking place in Bangkok.

Howell’s bronze medal win in the -57kg weight category came after she beat Beijing Olympian Nesria Jelassi of Tunisia by ippon in the second minute. Jelassi caused an upset in Beijing when she defeated former senior World Champion and Olympic medallist Yurisleidys Lupetey of Cuba in her opening fight.

In her pool, Howell beat Youth Olympic silver medallist Andreja Dakovic of Croatia in her opening fight, then moved on to dispatch 2008 Junior European silver medallist, Hedvig Karakas of Hungary and 2008 Junior European bronze medallist, Liudmyla Marchenko of the Ukraine. The Wolverhampton Judo Club player’s only defeat was against Brazilian Rafaela Silva in the semi final.

Luke Taylor won his bronze medal in the -90kg weight category beating Tomasz Domanski of Poland.

In his pool, the Hardy Spicer player, beat Thanh Ngo Tuong of Vietnam, Pablo Luciano Tomasetti of Italy, and Anthony Laignes of France in golden score. His only defeat was against the reigning Junior World Champion Dela Croes of Holland in his semi final.

Commenting afterwards, Kate Howey, Lead World Class Development Coach, said, “After Gemma won her second fight I knew she could take a medal. She fought out of her skin and did an amazing job.”

“Luke also had a magnificent day. I think he probably fought the best he has ever fought in his life.

“The results today are testament of the good work going on this year and I am delighted with them both”, she added.

Britain has so far had a number of players who have fell victim to the new repechage system being trialled at this event, where only players who reach the quarter finals will have the opportunity to be pulled back to the repechage.

On day one Kelly Edwards, in the -48kg weight category, lost to the eventual gold medallist Menzes of Brazil in her third fight. Normally, under the old the system, this would have seen her through to the repechage system with the chance to fight for the bronze medal. However, under rules being trialled in Bangkok, her loss before the quarter final stage took her out of the competition.

On day two Kate Walker, in the -63kg weight category, lost her opening fight to the finalist Antoinett Hennink of Holland. Again, under the old system she would have had the opportunity through the repechage to fight for the bronze medal.

On day one Britain finished 5th in the -52kg weight category when Samantha Clark lost of Barbara Maros of Hungary.

Media Contact:

Emma Griffin

British Judo

(t) 01509 631692

(e)emmagriffin@britishjudo.org.uk