Cadets Shine in Spain whilst VI Team Impress in Germany

It was a busy weekend for GB Judo fighters across Europe as we had representation at the IJF Tel Aviv Grand Slam, Fuengirola Cadet European Cup and IBSA German Open.

Gemma Howell made her first Grand Slam final, eventually taking silver, whilst Kelly Petersen-Pollard won her 3^rd career Grand Slam bronze medal.

In Spain, Fuengirola played host to over 220 future stars as some of the top cadet talent competed in the Fuengirola Cadet European Cup.

With 41 fighters in action, GB Judo were the second most represented country in attendance, behind hosts Spain.

GB Judo finished with two silver and two bronze medals with nine (9) fighters narrowly missing out on a medal finished 5^th, and a further six (6) fighters finished 7^th.

Eva Ewig (-40kg) claimed silver on the opening day whilst Emma McCabe (-44kg) defeated teammate Sophie Carson to claim bronze after winning her Pool.

There was a silver medal for Sunny Doig on day 2 in the -57kg category. Doig came out top of Pool A and before booking her place in the Final with a Semi-Final victory against Fidan Alizada (AZE) but narrowly missed out on gold by a waza-ari score to Lea Chanuqi (FRA).

Ben Moore was the top GB performer in a strong -73kg category that saw 9 home nation fighters finish in the top 9. Moore won his Pool before a Semi-Final defeat saw him face teammate Eryk Neumann for bronze. A waza-ari score was enough to see Moore claim his place on the podium.

In addition to Carson and Neumann, there were also fifth place finishes for Ross McWatt (-55kg), Charlotte Jenman (-52kg), Chloe Link (-57kg), Eden Heffernan (-73kg), Sophie McMillan (-63kg), Nicole Wood (-70kg) and Daniel Ede (+90kg).

Full results from the Fuengirola Cadet European Cup can be found here

The first international VI Judo event following the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was held in Heidelberg. The IBSA German Open saw World and Olympic medallists taking on the next generation of VI talent.

A young, exciting GB Judo team won three medals with Cameron Bradley taking bronze in a highly competitive -90kg category. To secure his place on the podium, Bradley had to defeat a Paralympic silver and World Championship bronze medallist. ParaPotential fighters Emily Betts (-70kg) and Evie Gormely (-57kg) both won silver.

Up next for the GB Judo team is the Warsaw European Open this weekend