English Open Championships 2008

Television cameras from the BBC were at the first major Senior Judo Tournament of the Year. The English Open Championships took place at Kendal Judo Club's Dojo and over 150 judoka took part. The event is one of only five competitions from which players can gain ranking points in their quest for a National Squad place, and from there a possible London 2012 Olympic Squad place.

Kendal Club's Mike Horley was just a split second off becoming the first British person to hold the English and American Open Judo titles at the same time. Unfortunately his opponent, Johnathan Purssey from London's Budokwai, just managed to resist the strong attack from Michael and then counter it with a technique of his own.

Along with Michael's silver medal Aaron Asplin gained a bronze medal. He snatched victory in the last minute of his last fight with a shimewaza submission.

Danny Harper and Phil Rogan from Kendal were in the Under 73 kilo Category, the largest of the weekend. Danny was a little unlucy in his quarter-final contest when given a rather harsh penalty by the referee which caused him to lose the fight. He came through the repechage to gain a well deserved seventh place. Phil Rogan also fought his way back up to 7th place via the repechage losing to the eventual bronze medallist Richard Phillips from Glanford
Brother Steve Rogan lost his first fight but in the repechage he came back well to equal his brother's seventh place.
Full results can be found on the British Judo Association WEB Site www.britishjudo.org.uk or click on the link to the right of this page