Camberley Judo Club’s Sophie Johnstone (U52kg) has won a bronze medal at the GB World Cup held in Birmingham this weekend. Sophie was on great form all day. She dominated her first opponent from Finland securing three penalty points. This placed her in the quarter final against Lafont of FRA. Sophie won the match with a leg grab counter for the maximum points. The semi-final pitted her against Heylen of BEL-Olympic Bronze medalist. Sophie lost by hold down after being countered backwards. For the bronze medal she faced Polak of NED. The Camberley fighter threw her Dutch opponent for two big scores and won decisively. After the bronze medal match Sophie said
“I am delighted with my medal I got back from worlds and I had lost in my first match to the eventual gold medallist but I knew I was feeling like I was in form so I am really happy to come here and show I it. It felt really good out there today.
“The home crowd has been so important today especially supporters from Camberley. I got silver last year so I knew what the crowd would be like. It has focused me more to want to fight at 2012. Everything I am doing now is geared towards the London Olympics.”
Sam Lowe at under 78kg was also on great form. She defeated her first opponent from Brazil in 10 secs. This placed her in the quarter final against Heise of GER. A close fight saw Sam through to the semi-final stages. Against Roberge, a Canadian Olympian, the score was tied after normal time. This sent the match into a golden score period where Sam lost contentiously after it was judged she attempted an illegal throw. This harsh judge’s call meant she could not fight for the bronze medal and was out of the tournament.
Danny Williams, under 73kg, and Nathon Burns at under 60kg both performed well at their senior world cup debuts. Danny defeated a strong Dutch man in his first fight. Here he faced Rhiad of France and after a tight match was beaten by arm bar. Nathon lost to the eventual bronze medalist, Milous from FRA. Another tense match saw no score after normal time. Nathon nearly secured the win in golden score with a great attack but was penalized out of the match. Great experience for the two young fighters. Camberley’s British Open Champion Peter Lomax also competed at under 100kg. He lost his first match to Farkas of Hungary. Peter nearly won the match in the first minute with a huge throw. Both opponents scored big and Pete eventually was thrown inside the last minute.
Camberley’s World Silver Medalist Karina Bryant is recovering from hand surgery and could not compete but attended along with junior members and parents to support the GB Team and her Camberley club mates.
