Bold Show at British Open for Danny Haper

The British Open Judo Championship held this year in Crawley, Sussex, is the showcase competition of this country's judo calendar and, as such, attracts hundreds of top class fighters from all over the World.

This year was no exception with players from as far afield as Finland, Russia, Australia, America, and South Africa among the 20 countries taking part. To get past the first round is an achievment.

Kendal Judo Club's Danny Harper had a British player Alex Farbon as his first opponent and was in control from the start eventually thowing him for two half-point (waza-ari) scores to win. Gerald Turner from Ireland was a little harder to beat but Danny ran out a fairly comfortable winner at the end of the five minute contest.

The Kendal player's next opponent was Londoner Jean-Rene Badrick, Britain's current No. 1 at his age group. Danny managed to take him to time but a half point throw by the Londoner half way through the fight put Danny into the repechage. Badrick went on to win the Silver medal.

In the first repechage fight Danny's opponent was the Russian Dimity Myakinin who was thrown twice in quick succession for middle scores (yuko) and Danny was through to meet Eetu Laamanen from Finland.

Danny had a shock right at the end of this contest. Having been comfortably ahead for most the fight, in the last five seconds the referee gave the Kendal player's opponent a winning score. Fortunately this was overruled by the judges which put Danny in the fight for a bronze medal.

This was against Vladimir Oleinic of Portugal who caught Danny with classic throw for the full point. Nevertheless fifth place in the British Open is a very creditable position to attain in such a top quality competition.