Gold for Millar in Georgia - Saturday January 26th 2008
The Edinburgh Club's James Millar won Gold at the Tblisi World Cup Tournament in Georgia this weekend.
This tournament kicks off the final phase of Olympic Qualifiers. Tbilisi is a particularly tough event as the Eastern Europeans traditionally dominate.
James had a fantastic run winning all his fights by Ippon, and then although down by a waza-ari in the final came back in the last minute to hold down Pavel Petrikov of the Czech Republic.
James now sits 3rd in the European Olympic Qualification Rankings (one place above England's Craig Fallon). For Olympic selection a top 9 placing or above is required.
Matt Purssey, -73kg, won his first fight against Kokhha Mamulashvill of Georgia, then beat Victor Bivol of Georgia in golden score. Despite being in control of the quarter final he narrowly lost against Marco Maddaloni of Italy.
Sally Conway won her first fight against Snzana Delibasic of Serbia, but lost her second to Olympic silver medallist Edith Bosch by two yukos and a koka. Conway then lost to the German competitor Kerstin Thiele.
Iain Feenan also competed but lost his first two matches.