JENNY Earle has just completed a full set of current masters judo titles by adding the European gold medal to the British and world crowns she gained earlier this year.
Her latest triumph came at the Yubilenskya national sports complex in St Petersburg, where she was a member of the Great Britain team.
Earle, competing in the women's under-70kg category, won five contests to make the final against Russian Maria Bulcovia.
Both players had won all their preliminary and semi-final contests with maximum scores.
In a tough final, Bulcovia had the advantage of greater muscle strength and superior size.
But, with true British grit and determination, 45-year-old Earle was able to avoid the Russian onslaught.
She then showed her better skill and technique by managing to do a superb uchimata and throw the Russian girl for a full score in the last 30 seconds of the contest.
Earle's medal was one of two golds gained by the British team at the championships. Mandy Humphrey was the under-48kg title winner.
Earlier this year, Basingstoke Sports Centre assistant manager Earle captured the world title in Vienna, going one place higher than 2003 in Japan. She also won the silver medal in the women's open class.
Also, in the third year of a judo comeback, she won the British open title while also finding time to collect a four-gold haul at the European Throws Cup in Wells, Austria.
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