British Judo announce European Championship Team

The Championships mark the end of a year long qualification campaign for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Three British spots, in the women’s -78kg weight category have already automatically qualified at the 2007 World Championships.

In a number of other weight categories British players are sitting in commanding positions in the qualification zone but BJA Director of World Class Programmes, Margaret Hicks, has warned that they “still need to put in strong performances in order to hold their positions”.

There is also hope for those currently sitting some way from the qualification zone as the Championships provide them with the opportunity to produce a medal winning performance, which could secure an additional place for team.

Another weight category mathematically secure for Britain is the -63kg weight category. Former European Champion Sarah Clark, who has been named for Lisbon, is currently sitting comfortably in the top spot. As is Michelle Rogers in the -78kg weight category, making the British place at this weight category also confirmed for Beijing.

Sally Conway will compete in the -70kg weight category and being just outside the qualification zone needs at least a top 8 finish in Lisbon.

Georgina Singleton (-52kg), Faith Pitman (-57kg) have all been named in the team. Both need to produce medal winning performance in order to qualify their weight categories.

World and European medallist Karina Bryant will compete in the -81kg, -100kg, and +78kg weight categories respectively.

No selections have been made in the –48kg weight category or +100kg.

Karen Roberts, World Class Operations Manager and Head of Delegation said, “The European Championships is one of the hardest competitions of the season- even outside of an Olympic Year. However our competitors go into all events of this level with the same objective - to win. As the last qualifying event for Beijing, it is still within every competitors grasp to secure the weight qualification, and they are all capable of doing so.’’