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Quilter misses out on judo bronze |
ParalympicsGB's Ben Quilter narrowly missed a judo bronze in the
under-60kg category after producing an exceptional performance in
the repechage final in Beijing.
Competing against Azerbaijan's Ramin Ibrahimov, the current world
champion at -66kg, Quilter lost by an ippon 30 seconds into the
contest.
Quilter said: "I'm pleased with my performance, it's just a
shame I didn't manage to get a medal. That would have been a dream
come true.
To qualify for the bronze medal match, Quilter won his repechage
final against the experienced Cuban Sergio Perez, the 2007 World
Champion and Paralympic gold medallist in Athens and Sydney.
The Brighton-based student kept cool under pressure, seizing an
opportunity to roll Perez backwards and secure an Ippon. Quilter's
delight was evident as he punched the air to celebrate.
"My goal was to finish in the top five and that's what I have
done, he said. I've beaten some players today that I never thought
I would beat, including the Cuban.
I'll have a better chance of a medal in four years time and today
has given me a great platform to build on."
Quilter lost his opening match to China's Li Xiaodong but won his
first repechage bout against Brazil's Helder Araujo by an Ippon
to qualify for the final.
Meanwhile Darren Harris, competing in the under-66kg category, lost
his opening match against the experienced Cuban Victor Sanchez by
an ippon and then lost to Venuzuela's Marcos Falcon.
Harris said: "I fought the Cuban last year at the world championships
and lost then, but he is a former world champion. I performed well
but was a little frustrated that I wasn't able to find a plan B
or C.
In a training environment you can go away and think about what
is going wrong but in competition there is no time. I really lacked
experience today," reflected Harris, who was making his Games
debut.
The other two members of ParalympicsGB's judo team, Ian Rose and
Sam Ingram, will both compete on day three of the Games (Tuesday
9 September).
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