Tadman Gold adds to TeamSOGB medal haul

The drama continued at the UCLA’s Activity Centre, Los Angeles yesterday as Holly Tadman secured TeamSOGB’s first judo gold medal of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. 

Holly who was the stand out judoka at last year’s European Games, continued her fine form in her opening contest with a composed and confident performance to defeat Paraskevi Bogiatzi of Greece. In a closely fought contest, Holly was awarded the win by the referee after the scores were still level after golden score. 

In her second match Holly faced Andrea Thomann (GER) who had put in a dominating display to win her initial contest. The German attacked Holly from the start but the St Leonard’s on Sea judoka was able to counter Thomann to score a Waza-ari. Holly then managed to hold down her opponent to score an Ippon to take the win. 

Johanna Sjoestrand of Sweden was now all that stood between Holly and the gold medal. Sjoestrand made it difficult for Holly in the early exchanges but the Briton slowly began to wear down her Swedish opponent. For the second time of the day the contest went to golden score. Holly drawing upon her experience against Bogiatzi earlier in the day, threw Sjoestrand for a Yuko to win the contest and the gold medal.   

TeamSOGB’s Thomas Farley competes in the final judo competition of the Games tomorrow. 

For more information on the Games visit www.LA2015.org. For more information about TeamSOGB visit www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk.