Michelle Rogers has stormed to victory winning gold at the 2007 German Open Championships at the weekend – the last event for the British team prior to the 2007 World Championships, which takes place in Brazil from the 13 th –16 th September.

Bronze medals from Winston Gordon in the –90kg weight category, and Sarah Clark in the –70kg took the British medal count to three - a good result at such a historically strong competition, which acted as a World Championship preparation event for over 45 nations.

There were two 5 th place finishes for Euan Burton (-90kg) and Georgina Singleton (-52kg).

Karina Bryant made a return to competition following her recent shoulder operation and subsequent recovery, and finished 7 th in the +78kg weight category. Sam Dunkley (-66kg) also finished in 7 th place.

There were 9 th place finishes for Sally Conway (-70kg), and Graham Trinder (-60kg).

The 12 players selected to represent Britain at the World Championships will depart for Rio on Friday 7 th September.

British Judo has also announced that Craig Fallon will no longer defend his title at the World Championships. After careful consideration by Craig, his coach, the British Judo Performance Directorate, and his specialists, it has been decided that the Championships will not fit into his crucial training programme of rehab and conditioning.

Craig is committed to qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and being fully fit and injury free for the Games. He will therefore start his Olympic qualification campaign at the 2007 GB World Cup, which will take place at the Birmingham NIA on the 21 st /22 nd September. He will then attempt qualification via the remaining European qualification events.

Craig will be replaced in Rio by his reserve, James Millar of the Edinburgh Club.

Media Enquires:

Emma Griffin

Head of Communications

British Judo

(t) 01509 631 692

(m) 07785 368495