Gemma Gibbons (University of Bath) secured a bronze medal for Great Britain yesterday in the judo competition at the World University Games.

Gemma Gibbons is part of a delegation of 196 athletes and officials from Great Britain who travelled to Belgrade to compete across 11 sports at the World University Games. Gibbons defeated Kyong Sol from Korea and Nataliya Smal from Ukraine en-route to the semi finals of the U70kg category. Gibbons lost in the semi final to eventual Silver medallist Purevjargal Lkhamdegd from Mongolia before claiming Bronze in the repechage against Linda Bolder from The Netherlands.

Gibbons has now made her mark on the international university sport scene after dominating the domestic scene for over three years. She was the BUSA (now BUCS) Champion in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and finished 7th at the World University Games 2007 in Bangkok. Gibbons is ranked 2nd in the UK and finished 5th at the 2008 U23 European Championships. 

“I was disappointed to lose in the Semi Final but I am delighted to leave Belgrade with a Bronze medal. It is a great honour to represent Great Britain and to win a medal is a great feeling”, said Gibbons.

Since returning in May this year from a British Squad training camp in Japan, Gibbons has been training at the British Judo Performance Institute based in Dartford.

Media Contact:

Nicola Turner

British Judo Association

(t) 01509 631695

nicolaturner@britishjudo.org.uk