JUDO player Judy Earle became a European champion at Norwich recently and another Basingstoke-based member of Winchester Judo Club, Derek Hopkins, won a bronze medal. T he British Judo Association hosted the Multi Nations European Masters Championships at the University of East Anglia and Earle, who works at Basingstoke Sports Centre, competed in the over-40 age group.
She won all her contests with maximum scores in the under-70kg division.
The third dan black belt needed just seven seconds in the final to clinch the gold medal and European title.
Hopkins finished third in a tough under-90kg group for over-30 men. It was an amazing position for the fifth dan black belt, who has just begun a comeback from major injuries. He has had his hamstring reconstructed and recovered from a serious ankle problem.
Both Earle and Hopkins train in the gym at Basingstoke Sports Centre, aided by the sports scholarship scheme. Now they are looking forward to the world masters championships in Tokyo at the end of June.
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