European Judo Union (EJU)
Union Sportive des Polices d’Europe (USPE)
European Police Judo Championships
The European Police Judo Championship held every four years was hosted for 2015 by the German Police of Saxony in Dresden from Sunday 10th to Wednesday 13th May. Nineteen European nations attended and we were all were treated to two days of exciting and very high quality competitive judo. All the police officers attendingwere of a minimum of national standing with many having competed at european, world and olympic completions.
Accommodated in an excellent hotel the competitors and delegates were warmly welcomed by the German organisers who had prepared a magnificent competition.
The Police Sport UK (PSUK) British Police judo team was very experienced and included former European Police medallists as well as three commonwealth medallists and former members of the BJA British squad in Sian Wilson a British Open Champion and Sam Delahey.
The Team
Men
U60, Gary Cole Dyfed Powys Police, Common Wealth Medallist
U73, Fraser Menzies Police Scotland
U81, Lee Holley Devon and Cornwall Police Masters Commonwealth Champion
U90, Jason Moore Police Scotland- World Police and Fire Service Champion
U100, Sam Delahay Avon and Somerset Police Silver Commonwealth Medallist
0/100, Gavin McNeill Police Scotland and Northern Irelands competitor at the recent Commonwealth Judo Championships
Ladies
U57k, Jo Coull Police Scotland
U63k, Kate Harris West Midlands Police
U70k, Lauren Holley Devon and Cornwall police previous Police European medallist
078, Sian Wilson Wiltshire Police, former British Team and British Open Champion
GB Police Delegation
Andy Moss Head of delegation 5th Dan
National Coaches
Chris Hunt 7th Dan
Matt Clempner 7th Dan
Darren Dean 6th Dan
The event was run under the control and supervision of the EJU, and as reported the standard of completion was very high
The categories and results
U60k- no stranger to competing at this level Gary stormed through all his contests throwing for ippon on each occasion, his German, French and Bulgarian opponents all experienced competitors had no answer to Gary’s variety of tachi waza and despite having to have a cut head heavily bandaged 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.
U73k – In his first Police Europeans Fraser Menzies fought his way to the bronze medal fight and was very unlucky not to take that medal finishing with a very respectable fifth place.
U81k- Lee Holley fighting in his third Police Europeans drew a very strong French player and was held for ippon after a hard battle for grips; Lee’s repercharge fight saw him again losing in newaza, having received a shoulder injury.
U90k – Jason Moore in his fourth european championship started well with a win before being eliminated but took a very respectful 7th place
U100k – Sam Delahey began his completion against a huge German who eventually took the silver medal, Sam battled for grips but was thrown for ippon, in his second fight Sam scored a superb ippon from a well drilled strangle, before going out of the competition in his next fight, but finishing in 7th place.
0/100k - Gavin McNeill opened his competition against a Belarus losing after a good start before fighting a German and getting caught on the ground for ippon.
U57- Jo Coull in her first Police Europeans will have taken much experience from this event battling against much more experienced players Jo never gave up becoming stronger in each fight to finish fifth.
U63- Kate Harris a very experienced police international again got stronger as the competition went on with a good win before finishing in 7thplace, losing to a very strong Hungarian.
U70 –Kilos, Lauren Holley, after scoring yuko in her first fight was caught for ippon, battling for grips in her remaining contents Lauren went on to battleher way to the bronze, adding to the one she won in Russia in 2007.
078 kilos- Sian Wilson was in control of her fights throwing for wazari particularly with a strong Tia –Toshi, in the final Sian in a moment of lack of concentration tried an ouch-gari leg grab combination and subsequently disqualified but taking a very well deserved silver medal.
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.