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Winston Gordon suffered
a first round defeat in the –90kg category at the hands of Khurshid
Nabiev from Uzbekistan on Wednesday, ending his Olympic campaign.
Gordon’s two yuko’s
were outscored by Nabiev’s waza-ari, and he began the anxious
wait for the opportunity to progress further into the competition.
Afterwards Gordon said,
"I am gutted. I put the hard work in and it has been a long
road. I initiated the technique against him. I threw him and he
landed on his back, but unfortunately in the referees eyes he
turned me at the last minute".
His hopes of progressing
were dashed as Nabiev failed to win his next bout against Elkhan
Mammadov, and the chance of a repechage reprieve was lost.
Gordon, a semi finalist
at the Athens Olympic Games told of the support he had received
in making the Olympic Games:
"I’ve had lots
of injuries in the build up but I’m a strong person and after
every knock down I got back up. I was injured five weeks ago and
thought it was my Olympic dream over, but I had a good team around
me of doctors, surgeons, physio etc, and they helped me get back.
I have definitely given 110%.
He also paid tribute
to his home supporters – who he took strength from in the approach
to his first match:
"My sister got
all my old friends to write sentiments in a book and on the way
here I read it on the bus and it bought a tear to my eye – so
that really gave me strength here today."
I have had a good team
around me. My brother and sister who came all this way to support
me. I liked to also thank my coach and all at British Judo Association,
my friends and family. My Foundation members who live in South
West London. Also Margaret Hicks and Karen Roberts."
Talking of his future
he said, "I think there is life in the old dog yet! I am
going to sit down with my coach and discuss what will happen but
I am definitely not ruling out staying around."
Team GB’s judo programme
continues on Thursday (14 August) with Peter Cousins in the men’s
–100kg and Michelle Rogers in the women’s +78kg categories.
© David
Finch
For further information
please contact Emma Taylor on 01509 631695 / 07875032287 or via
email emmataylor@britishjudo.org.uk
or James Sills on 01509 631670 x230 / 07967957873 or via email
jamessills@britishjudo.org.uk
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