Britain’s Alex Farrington has finished in a credible 5 th place in the -57kg weight category of the 2010 IBSA visually impaired World Championships currently taking place in Antalya, Turkey.

This is a career best for Alex, 36, who was identified by British Judo’s VI Talent Search just over a year ago.

Alex, who started judo at Thornton Judo Club now also does additional training at Kendal Judo Club.

Her most significant win before travelling to the Championships was silver at the 2010 German Open.

In her first contest of the day Alex started strong against Coadou of France scoring a minor yuko score against her opponent.  Despite the strong start the contest turned against her when she was manoeuvred onto her back and held down for ippon.

In the repechage she threw her opponent Fassa of Greece for the maximum ippon score, before facing Tanaka of Japan who she dispatched in the first minute again by ippon.

In the bronze medal fight Alex was unable to cope with a stronger opponent, Cete of Turkey, who was fighting with the support of the home crowd.  Cett was able to throw the Brit to end the fight, leaving Alex in 5 th place and just outside the medals.

Afterwards Dave Sanders, Paralympic Programme Manager said, “Alex has shown a steady improvement at each tournament she has entered since joining the programme 16 months ago.  Competing in her first World Championships was always going to be a big challenge but she did herself proud and knows where she needs to be to be to able to compete against the World’s best in London 2012.

Competing for Britain tomorrow on the final day of the Championships is brothers Sam Ingram and Joe Ingram in the -90kg and -100kg weight categories respectively.

Media Contact:

Emma Griffin

(t) 01509 631692

(m) 07875 368495

(e) emma.griffin@britishjudo.org.uk