Five medals for Britain at the European Masters Championships in Poland

Britain’s five-strong Masters team all claimed medals at the European Masters Championships in Opole, Poland.

Moberley Judo Club’s Winfield Graham, 41, who won World Masters bronze in 2008, won his three contests by ippon in the -60kg category.

Terry Watt, 7th Dan, of Long Tower Judo Club, 65, took gold in the -90kg category while Simon Woods, 54, clinched Britain’s third place on top of the medal rostrum by winning the -81kg category.

Kim Tilley, 49, of Reading Judo Club, a former World Masters medallist, lost out in the -57kg final while Stan Cantrill, 66, finished in fifth-place after losing the bronze medal contest.

Winfield Graham said: “This was my first European Championships and I thought I fought very well on the day although I was somewhat more nervous than usual.

“It was probably because of the magnitude of the competition; I think I may have let the pressure get to me a bit. It was ok though because I managed to turn the nervousness into positive energy to perform.

The title means so much to me. I achieved a bronze at the World Masters but a European gold is just a phenomenal achievement for me. The medal means the entire world to me. I dedicate it to my father who I know is watching over me.”

Rowena Birch, Chair of the British Judo Masters Commission, said: “It is great to see our Masters successfully winning medals for Great Britain at this prestigious event – a reflection I believe of the many hours of hard training and dedication that they commit to judo. I look forward to seeing them compete again at the British Masters at the end of September in Belfast.”

The next Masters training session will take place in Kendal on 30th June to 1st July.