Gemma Gibbons Commonwealth test at Minsk OTC Camp

Some of Great Britain’s best judoka are now well into the 2014 Olympic Training Camp taking place in Minsk, Belarus from 9 to 18 June 2014 as the teams to prepare ahead of the Commonwealth Games in the first significant camp since the Olympic cycle began on 26 August.

Olympic silver medallist Gemma Gibbons will make a comeback from injury, joined by European medallist Katie Jemima Yeats-Brown who are both using this camp as an opportunity to test the water after a period out of action.

Katie Jemima said: “I had a torn MCL the third of three serious knee injuries over the last two years including two operations but I finally got back to competition in May this year and am slowly getting back to my previous form. I picked up a bronze medal in Lithuania but need more competition practice so am thrilled to be selected for Minsk to have the chance to fight the best players in Europe. It is also a real privilege to be going with people like Colin and Sally. I hope to get plenty of randori to help me get back to my best fighting level.”

Scottish Sally Conway (-70kg), who took silver at the European Championships, will be joined by European Junior bronze medallist Nekoda Davis (-57kg), Bekky Livesey (-57kg) and Natalie Powell (-78kg)

Colin Oates (-66kg) will take to the tatami following his bronze success at the Grand Prix in Samson, joined by Sam Hall (-60kg) and Max Stewart (-81kg) and Philip Awiti Alcaraz (-100kg).

Also fighting Jono Drane (-73kg) and Sam Ingram (-90kg) from the VI programme.

Team leader and women’s coach Kate Howey will be accompanied by Jean-Paul Bell and physio Kevin Carvosso.

Words by Donna Richardson.