British Closed (Trials)

The British National Trials brought a successful day for Kendal Judo Club members with David Groom gaining a silver medal, MIchael Horley a Bronze and just outside the medals a fifth place for Danny Harper.
David and Danny had the misfortune to be drawn in the same first round pool which meant that one of the two could not progress to the medals. In a fierce contest between the two Danny's lack of match training due to a series of injuries which had kept off the mat for some time was the only difference. David caught him with an inner thigh throw after three and a half minutes. A strangle by Danny right on the bell against Ryan Hunter from Knottingley gave Danny his fifth place. David Groom then went on to beat Stephen Abberley from Wales before coming up against the favourite for the Olympic place at Under 81 kilos, Thomas Reed from Devizes. In a defensive contest David lost out on a penalty but a silver medal was a good result.
Michael Horley had also been affected by a serious ankle injury which reduced his training since well before Christmas. However he sailed through his first three contests against Frazer Chamberlain from Camberley, Sean Dineen and Theodore Spalding Mackintosh from London. He then met up against an Olympic favourite Scotland's Euan Burton who had moved up a weight for this event. Although he lost the contest Michael came through the next round to win a bronze medal which confirmed his place in Britain's 2012 London Olympic Squad. Michael is flying off to Georgia this weekend to take part in a European Cup match as part of the British Team.