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Gold medals for Burton and Adlington in Birmingham

Olympian Euan Burton scored an impressive ippon over British team-mate Tom Reed in the final of the men’s -81kg as he helped the GB team finish the 2009 GB World Cup with four gold, one silver and four bronze medals.

Edinburgh-based Burton, who took on some world-class judoka through the day, went into the all British final knowing Reed would fight hard for the gold medal.

Reed went into the lead early on with a yuko point but Burton earned one back half-way through. Burton showed his experience to capitalise on his yuko and threw Reed for an ippon to claim his World Cup title.

“It has been a good day,” Burton said. “It was a tough final because we know each others judo well. It wasn't my best performance but I have beaten some good guys like Stevens and Canto.

“I think it is a disadvantage fighting your team mate. It is really nerve wracking and it was a really tough fight. Tom fought really well. I am British number one and I was against an up and coming athlete so there was a lot of pride at stake. But I think it was really good for the British crowd to have an all British final.”

Reed won the silver medal with the bronze medals going to Dennis Huck (Germany) and Murat Khabachirov (Russia).

Sarah Adlington entered the arena looking confident after having excellent fights through the first rounds of the +78kg category.

Adlington was drawn into the final against Lucia Tangorre (Italy) and scored two yukos through the match but it was the hold that the Brit secured onto Tangorre that won her the match.

On her gold medal Adlington commented: “I am pretty happy with that. I am pleased with the performance throughout the day. There weren’t so many heavyweights here this year but it was good to fight some different athletes today.

“My goal is to keep improving as we head towards the London Olympics.”

Sian Wilson (-78kg) was called into action at the last minute for the repechage due to a revised decision that led to Annika Heise (Germany) being disqualified. Wilson faced Maike Heinz from Germany in the bronze medal fight.

Wilson started the fight well and got yuko onto the scoreboard to help settle her into the match. But it was an impressive ippon throw that secured the bronze medal for Wilson.

“It wasn't the best way to prepare for a fight,” Wilson said. “I was already back at the hotel. I think though that it didn't give me an opportunity to get nervous. I was just stressed which was probably good because I could use that emotion in my fight.

“It was really important to me to win that medal. I haven’t had many good results this year so it has been good to get the medal here. The crowd and the kids have been really good. They have been saying well done even if you have lost which is just great.”

Amy Cotton (Canada) won the second bronze and the gold and silver medals went to Assunta Galeone (Italy) and Catherine Roberge (Canada).

Peter Cousins (-100kg) lost his bronze medal fight against Frederic Stiegelmann (France). Cousins had a yuko but Stiegelmann scored a waza-ari to beat the Brit to the medal.

Chris Sherrington took on Sergey Prokin (Russia) in the +100kg weight category and lost to two waza-aris to miss the bronze medal.

To see the highlights of the last two days action tune into Sky Sports 3 on Wednesday 7 October at 8.00pm.

Media Contact:

Nicola Turner

British Judo Association

(t) 01509 631695

nicolaturner@britishjudo.org.uk


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