Dartford Borough Council News

The British Judo Association has named a 20-strong team for the 2010 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on 9 to 13 September.

The 27th edition of the famed event, which was previously held every two years, is being staged in consecutive years for the first time in its 54-year history, and will now be held on an annual basis in all but Olympic years.

Judo’s much-anticipated marquee event has also introduced two places in each weight category for each country which has seen the GB party – the second World Championship team under Head Coach Patrick Roux – increase from 14 players in 2009 to 20 this year.

The squad has a youthful feel with nine members being 23 or under while 10 players are making their World Championship debuts. They include Shropshire teenager Kelly Edwards, Wolverhampton’s Gemma Howell, 21-year-old Megan Fletcher, Camberley’s Danny Williams, 23-year-old Michael Horley, Devon’s Scarlett Woolcock and 23-year-old Gemma Gibbons.
The established trio of Sarah Adlington, Tom Reed and James Austin will also make their inaugural appearances at the event in September.

Nine members of last year’s squad have been retained. Edinburgh-based standout Sally Conway made her breakthrough in last year’s event with a highly-commendable fifth-place finish in her World Championship debut.
Under 63kg fighter Faith Pitman, who finished seventh in Brazil in 2007, returns while former four-time European Champion, Karina Bryant – one of the sport’s most prolific medallists – will take part subject to a fitness test. Bryant won a silver medal last year, Britain’s only medal at the 2009 event.

Former European Champion Sarah Clark will also take part subject to fitness while Kimberley Renicks will also take centre stage in Japan.
2007 World Championship bronze medallist, Scotland’s Euan Burton – one of the titans of British Judo – is joined by fellow 2009 competitors Colin Oates, Ashley McKenzie and Winston Gordon, who returned to the international fold in June after a nine-month injury lay-off.

James Millar will make his first appearance at the competition since 2007 where he was a late replacement for the injured Craig Fallon.
Margaret Hicks, British Judo’s Performance Director, said: “The 2010 World Championships Team for Tokyo has been selected with two goals in mind; one for experienced players who are connecting successfully at the elite level to perform at this event and the second for development players to continue to make the right progressions.

“A larger team is possible for this World Championships as two players are allowed per weight category, unlike the 2012 London Olympics where only one qualified player per country is permitted. We had some good performances in the Grand Slam in Tokyo at the end of last year and we have built on this experience to ensure our players are used to competing and training in Japan.”

This entry was posted on Friday 20 August 2010 at 10:28 am and is archived under Leisure.

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