University Games success for Michael

Photo: courtesy Mike Varey of 'www.Elite-performance.org' Go there and click on the Gallery for judo pics from all the major championships and events

The first UK University Games took place in Sheffield this weekend. A multi-sport event the University of Cumbria was represented by two Kendal Judo Club competitors. Michael Horley and Danny Harper were both a credit to the newly formed University.

Danny, who was awarded a Sports Scholarship by the University last year, was in the Under 73 kilo class which had the largest entry of the tournament. He got through to the semi-final when he was up against the English Open Champion, Jan Gosiewski, a full time judo student at Bath University. Danny lost on a small penalty and in the repechage fight for the bronze the Cumbrian put his arm in the wrong place and was armlocked into submission by David Lamb from Nottingham. This gave Danny fifth place.

Michael Horley hardly put a foot wrong once out of the first round eliminations, throwing frequent rival Danny Roberts from Bath University with O Soto Gari in the last minute. He then beat another Bath player, Zane Lightfoot, by a middle score. In the final against Thomas Tandoi from Southampton Michael dominated the contest eventually throwing his opponent in the second minute with an Uchi Mata for the full point and the Championship.