Drane claims bronze at IBSA Judo World Championships

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Jonathan Drane won a bronze medal for Great Britain in the -81kg category at the International Blind Sports Association Judo World Championships in Colorado, USA, writes Aaron Fowler.

The man from Norwich won GB’s only medal of the competition after narrowly losing to Paralympic bronze medallist from Eduardo Avila-Sanchez of Mexico in the semi-final by two penalties.

Drane was in fine form on his way to the semi-final, beating Cyril Jonard of France, Sebastian Junk of Germany and Jose’ Effron of Argentina. He then defeated Paralympic bronze medallist Alonzo Cruz from Cuba to take bronze by ippon.

He said:  “Instead of paralysing myself worrying about the possible outcomes, I worked hard towards the process of performance, having been lucky enough to receive some great tips on recovery during my preparation time at the Centre Of Excellence. It was the first time having Denny Roberts sat in my corner. He was fantastic, keeping me calm and ensuring I stuck to the game plan. Of course I’m elated with the days events. However, it is great that the people who have constantly supported and believed in me, have seen a reward for all their hard work. I’d like to say a big thank you to Kumo’s Howard, David, Colin and Denise Oates, a result like this is as much theirs as it is mine.” 

Coach Denny Roberts was full of praise for the visually impaired bronze medallist saying, “Jono was superb showing great composure and focus throughout the day. His first competition at -81kgs and I can only say that the future looks bright for this hard working athlete. I couldn’t be happier for him.” 

In the same category fellow GB team member Gavin Towers was eliminated after narrowly losing out to Cruz  of Cuba on penalties by a ratio of 2:1. Elsewhere, the youngest member of the GB squad Jack Hodgson, 17,  who was competing at his first World Championships put in a determined performance in his loss to the current Paralympic champion Zakiyev of Azerbaijan in the +100kg category.

GB’s only female representative Natalie Greenhough, also 17, who was competing in the -70kg category, just missed out on competing for a bronze medal losing to Alvarez of Mexico in a close contest.

Meanwhile, VI Judo junior World Champion Chris Skelley, convincingly defeated Wang of China on his way to the quarter finals of the -100kg category where he was beaten by Myles Porter of the USA – a player who took bronze at London 2012. Skelley won the repechage against Pomonov of Ukraine by ippon but lost to Choi the current Paralympic champion from Korea.

With the bronze medal won by Drane, and the performances of the young members of the squad, the future looks bright for British VI Judo.  

Performance Director Nigel Donohue said: “Our VI Team was one of the most professional and best prepared teams there are and there is no doubt that we are delivering a programme at the very highest level.”