Britain win four Judo medals at the 2006 GB World Cup

Great Britain won four medals at the inaugural GB World Cup for women in Birmingham at the weekend. On Sunday, Camberley’s Karina Bryant was disappointed to narrowly miss out on gold after being thrown for ippon by Olympic bronze medallist Tea Donguzasvili of Russia, in the final seconds of the +78kg weight category final.

Bryant appeared to have the top spot secured after leading on scores throughout the contest, but with two seconds left, the Russian denied the British spectators a perfect end to the weekend.

Britain took a second medal in the +78kg weight category with Simone Callender winning bronze in match that could appear uneventful on paper. After no score in either regulation or golden score time the winner was decided by the judges.

However, crowd-pleaser Callender from London, drew some of the biggest cheers of the weekend as she finally secured the medal, after rallying the crowds with both her personality and attempts to throw Cuban, Ivis Duena Alonso.

Afterwards she said, “It was the crowds that carried me through the last ten minutes. I am delighted to have won the medal for them”.

Also on Sunday, in the –78kg weight category, University of Bath’s Sian Wilson won bronze. She lost to the eventual gold medallist Vera Moskalyuk of Russia in the semi-final but outclassed Raquel Madrigal of Spain in the bronze medal match, throwing her for ippon after just 13 seconds.

European bronze medallist Sarah Clark took Britain’s first medal of the weekend on Saturday, claiming bronze against Vera Koval of Russia with a holddown. The medal was bittersweet for the Edinburgh player who was disappointed not to make the final after loosing to Fanny Riaboff of France in the semi final.

Most of Britain’s younger competitors were also in action on Saturday, with the majority making their international senior debuts against the might of the Cubans and Chinese.

In the –57kg weight category, Gemma Howell fought hard against eventual silver medallist Sheila Espinosa of Cuba, and Becky Dunning was unlucky to be drawn against Yu Yaling of China who went on to win the gold.

Toni Prince, in the –48kg weight category, had tough competition in the form of Beijing hopeful Jun Xiao of China and Vanessa Arenas Comeron of Spain, who both went on to win Bronze medals.

On Sunday European Cadet Champion, Laura Haynes, showed potential making it through to the second –78kg category bronze medal match.

Afterwards British Judo’s Performance Director, Colin McIver, praised the team’s performance saying, “The results achieved over the weekend are our best results on the circuit so far this year, and show we are gaining strength as we head towards the European Championships in May. The results also demonstrate the invaluable support of the home crowd

“I am also delighted with the performance of the younger players. Many who are members of the 2012 Development squad and were competing in their first major international.

“It would have been a daunting experience, and so they performed well. Experience in tournaments such as this is invaluable in our preparation as we head towards the London Games.”

The event, which was supported by the National Lottery through UK Sports World Class Events Programme, was hailed a success by competitors and spectators alike.

In 2007 the GB World Cup will be for men and will be held on 22nd/23rd September.