A 12 strong team of GB judoka will take to the mat this week as part of TeamGB for the 2017 Gyor European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF).
There are ten current British Cadet champions in the team and eight of the team also fought at the Cadet European Championships three weeks ago. Amy Platten (-44kg) and Josie Steele (-57kg) both finished fifth, losing close bronze medal contests.
The 12 judoka are part of a larger 50 strong TeamGB selection and the Festival will be an exciting opportunity for them to be part of a large multi-sport environment.
Archie Platt, current British Cadet -66kg champion, said:
“To make it to such a high level at a young age is personally a very proud moment and it feels great to have been selected. I’m looking forward to fighting for my country but also for the experience as a whole.
“As a kid you always dream of going to the Olympics and this is a real stepping-stone for that. It will also be really interesting to learn about the other sports and athletes, to learn how they train and how they’ve got to their level within their own sports.”
EYOF has proven to be a vital stepping stone on the road to further international honours at junior and senior level. The likes of current GB judoka Kelly Edwards (2007) and Amy Livesey (2009) and Sam Hall (2011) have medalled at EYOF in the past.
The individual judo competition starts on Tuesday 25 July at 1200 local time (1100 UK time) with the rest of the competition days starting at 1000 local time (0900 UK time).
Follow @BritishJudo on Twitter for competition updates and the Gyor 2017 website and Olympic Channel for live streams. You can find the full draw here: http://www.ippon.org/eyof2017.php
Tuesday – BOYS: -50 KG, -55 KG; GIRLS: -40 KG, -44 KG
Wednesday – BOYS: -60 KG, -66 KG; GIRLS: -48 KG, -52 KG
Thursday – BOYS: -73 KG, -81 KG; GIRLS -57 KG, -63 KG
Friday – BOYS -90 KG, +90 KG; GIRLS -70 KG, +70 KG
Saturday – TEAM EVENT
Team GB Judo at Gyor 2017
Aaron Miller (-81kg), 17, from Wishaw, Scotland
Amy Platten (-44kg), 16, from St Albans, Hertfordshire
Archie Platt (-66kg), 16, from Woking, Surrey
Charlie Young (-50kg), 15, from Alfreton, Derbyshire
Daniel Rabbitt (-55kg), 17, from Newport, Wales
Holly Jones (-63kg), 16, from Abergele, Wales
Imogen Walls (-48kg), 16, from Melrose, Scotland
Jasmine Hacker-Jones (-48kg), 16, from Bridgend, Wales
Josie Steele (-57kg), 16, from Inverness, Scotland
Oliver Park (-60kg), 16, from Netherton, Scotland
Ryan Turnbull (-66kg), 17, from Dunfermline, Scotland
Tomi Imrie (-70kg), 16, from Livingston, Scotland