Bronze for Powell in Oberwart

On the opening day of the Oberwart European Open, Dan Powell picked up a bronze medal, whilst Eric Ham, Nekoda Smythe-Davis and Sian Bobrowska all finished 5^th.

Dan Powell registered ippon scores to defeat Phillip Aust (AUT) and Alexandre Rubaino (FRA) to book his place in the Quarter-Finals to face Nils Stump (SUI).

Defeat to Nils Stump progressed Powell to the Repechage where victory against Raphael Gigli (FRA) booked his place in the Bronze Medal Contest.

Eric Ham (Geoff Ham; Glossop JC) defeated Ilyas Nussipbayev (KAZ) in Round 1 by a waza-ari score before ippon victories against Bence Boros (HUN) and Koen Heg (NED) booked his place in the Semi-Final, where he was defeated by 2021 World and European Junior champion Adrian Sulca (ROU) to set up a Bronze Medal Contest against teammate Powell.

The bronze medal contest was a cagey affair, with both fighters cancelling each other out. As the contest entered Golden Score with the pair having two shidos each, it was Powell who found that something extra to register a waza-ari score and claim the bronze medal.

Nekoda Smythe-Davis (Coach: Jo Crowley; Club: Ealing JC) defeated 2^nd seed Manon Deketer (FRA) in her opening round contest. Smythe-Davis went a waza-ari score down before levelling the score in the final 30-seconds to force Golden Score. As the clock neared 7minutes 30seconds Smythe-Davies booked her place in the Quarter-Finals with an ippon score.

Victory against Mirjam Wirth (GER) followed to progress Smythe-Davis to the Semi-Finals where defeat to Inbal Shemesh (ISR) saw her progress to the bronze medal contest to face Nadja Bazynski (GER)

Smythe-Davis was caught for uchi-mata as the contest entered the halfway mark and ultimately had to settle for 5^th place, but it was a fantastic return to the mat for the double world medallist who will return to her familiar weight category, -57kg at the Riccione European Open next weekend.

Sian Bobrowska (Fitzroy Davies; Hardy Spicer 83) defeats Gulshen Kazakova (TKM) in Round 1 before defeat to number 1 seed and current World Championship bronze medallist Fabienne Kocher (SUI). This result progressed her to the Repechage where victory against Paz Kafri (ISR) secured her place in the Bronze Medal Contest to face Sita Kadamboeva (UZB).

Bobrowska was thrown for waza-ari score in the opening 45-seconds with Kadamboeva transitioning to newaza to pin Bobrowska for ippon score and win bronze. Bobrowska finished 5^th.

Amy Platten (Guy Platten; Redbridge JC) defeated Kurbanay Kurbanova (TKM) in Round 1 before defeat in the Quarter-Final against Alexandra Pop (ROU) progressed her to the Repechage where she was defeated by Khalimajon Kurbanova (UZB), meaning she finished in 7^th.

Josh Giles (Simon Moss; Coventry JC) defeated Csanad Feczko (HUN) in the opening round, Feczko picking up three penalty shidos, to see Giles progress to Round 2 where he was defeated by Richard Vergnes (FRA)

Dylan Munro (Billy Cusack; Edinburgh JC) is defeated by Marton Andradi (HUN) in the opening round.

Alexander Short (Cusack; Edinburgh JC) defeats Lennart Slamberger (GER) in the opening round. With the scores level at a waza-ari each, Short registered an ippon to progress to Round 2 to face Aibolat Ystybay (KAZ). In Round 2 Short picked up three penalty shidos against Aibolat Ystybay (KAZ)

Michael Fryer (Laurie Rush; Rush Judo) was defeated by Dylan Van Der Kolk (NED) in the opening round by a waza-ari score.

Following an opening round victory against Lisa Grabner (AUT), Malin Wilson (Javi Delgado; Asociación Judo Móstoles) was defeated by Ivelina Ilieva (BUL).

Josie Steele (Euan Burton; Highland Budokan) is defeated by 4^th seed Tihea Topolovec (CRO) by a waza-ari score following an opening round bye.

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