British Judo ended up with a medal shower on the last day of the Veteran European Championships in Balatonfured (Hungary). One gold, three silver and a fifth place was delivered on the last day of the individual competition.

Colin Francis was competing in the M1-u66kg category winning his first contest by Ippon against Hegedus (HUN). Following that was time for the semis where Colin put in an incredible effort going into golden score (GS) with Miro (UKR). A minute into GS when the British fighter got caught and was sent back by Miro to fight for bronze. For the third place, the British fighter was facing last year’s bronze medalist Szepesi (HUN) who thrown Colin to take the remaining space on the podium. Colin earned an honourable 5th place and ready to return home to prepare for the upcoming Veteran World Championships.

Last year’s bronze medalist, Daniel Harvey stepped up his game in the M2-o100kg category. Having to struggle through the past 24 hours without his luggage, Harvey was ready to put on a show. Defeating Keshabyan (ESP) and Huszti (HUN), the British fighter soon seen himself opposite Wolszczak (POL) in the final of the M2-o100kg category. A single yuko score in favour of the polish fighter set Harvey to collect a well deserved silver medal.

This wasn’t the end yet, as our female competitors brought more joy to the day in the M1-u63kg category, where a battle in a group of three was waiting for our fighters. Brochard (FRA), Dobrowolski (GBR) and Wilkinson (GBR) were in line to fight with each other where Wilkinson come out on top and became 2015 Veteran European Champion and delivered one and only gold for the British team. Dobrowski was to settle for the silver medal.

“I haven’t been competing for a while so making weight was the first challenge which I managed to do so”, said the Uxbridge based judoka.

“There was a lot of respect in the final for sure and if I had a choice I wouldn’t want to do it again. I rather fight against someone from another country than having to battle for gold against someone from my own country”, Wilkinson added.

In addition to the double medal celebration, Plane Tracey also won silver medal in the F1-u78kg category.
The overall medal table stamped a domination by the Russian team after winning 16 gold medals which the French team closely followed by 15 victory. Hungary settled for the third place with 12 gold and a total number of 38 individual medals won throughout the three days.

Tomorrow the team event of the 2015 Veteran European Championships will take place in the Balaton Kozpont Sport Arena. The tournament will begin at 10:30am local time.