The Police Sport UK (PSUK) British Police judo team took home a total of three medals from the USPE European Police Championships which took place in Dresden, Germany between 11-12th May.

Gary Cole stole the show on the first day of the competition, taking the team’s top result in the -60kg category, taking gold in a final against home fighter, Silbersack. The fight was won with an uchi-mata, a favoured technique of the judoka from Dyfed Powys Police.

Cole became the first British male to win a gold at the event, with Dresden being the 17th edition of the competition.

Competing in the -78kg category, Sian Wilson of Wiltshire took home a silver medal for the team, while Lauren Holley of Devon and Cornwall claimed a bronze medal in the -70kg category.

Director of coaching for the PSUK British Police judo team, Chris Hunt, said: “Gary is no stranger to competing at this level and stormed through all his contests throwing for ippon on each occasion.

“His German, French and Bulgarian opponents, who were all experienced competitors, had no answer to Gary’s variety of tachi waza, and despite having a heavily bandaged head, Gary made the European title his with a display of great attacking judo. Great Britain’s first male European Police Champion in an event that has been running for over 50 years, a fantastic result!

“Great Britain finished fourth out of nineteen nationals, a very respectable result particularly when many of the police players competing from mainland Europe are full time competitors. A great result from a team who were true ambassadors to judo and the United Kingdom.”

Alongside the medallists, Joanne Coull (-57kg) and Fraser Menzies (-73kg) both took 5th places, while Kate Harris (-63kg), Lee Holley (-81kg) Samuel Delahay (-100kg) and Gavin McNeil (+100kg) all claimed 7th places.

Congratulations to the Police Sport UK (PSUK) British Police judo team!