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British judoka Kyle
Sweet refused to be downhearted despite an early exit at the European
Youth Olympic Festival in Finland.
The 14-year-old was
knocked out in the second round at the Tampere Ice Stadium after
French opponent Kevin Azema secured an ippon.
Sweet, who competes
in the -55kg category, squeezed past Poland's Damian Szwarnowiecki
in the first round but missed out on a place in the bronze medal
repechage following his defeat to Azema.
But Sweet insists he
has learned valuable lessons from the the experience.
"I was feeling
pretty good but it is just about what you do on the day,"
said Sweet.
"I was pretty tired
after the first fight but there was a lot of support and that
really gives you a lift.
"I was pleased
to get the first win under my belt and it was a case of warming
up and seeing how it went but it just wasn't to be."
Sweet - who trains at
the Wolverhampton Judo Club - almost saw his campaign come to
an end sooner in a tense match against Szwarnowiecki.
Sweet was voted through
to the second round by judges after the bout finished scoreless
- and the rookie, who turns 15 next week, admits he was left breathing
a huge sigh of relief.
"The judges voted
2-1 in my favour because they said I have been the most attacking
person," he added.
"I would have liked
to have gone through by scoring the points but I was just pleased
to make it into the second round.
"I'm disappointed
to miss out on a medal but I have really enjoyed the experience."
Elsewhere, British team-mates
Amy-Louise Thompson and Joshua Hill both failed to progress beyond
their first round contests.
The British Olympic Association selects, runs and manages Team
GB at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It promotes
the Olympic Movement, enhances athlete success and develops Olympic
sports in the UK - www.olympics.org.uk
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