UK Sport

Rugby heavyweights try-out for Judo's 2016 Olympic talent search

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EIS 26 August 2010

British Judo’s Performance Institute in Dartford hosted the second phase of its 2016 Olympic heavyweight talent search on Sunday 22 August, in conjunction with the UK Talent Team, a partnership between the English Institute of Sport (EIS) and UK Sport, as part of the Pitch2Podium programme.

A total of 19 former rugby players tested their mettle on the mat, having progressed through the Pitch2Podium programme, which searched for those football or rugby academy athletes who were no longer competing, as well as well as some of those who were discovered through the Tall & Talented initiative.

“The rugby lads we’ve seen at assessment days have shown raw power and strength, not to mention experience within contact sport,” says Ian Yates, Talent ID Scientist at the EIS.

“Being able to set up a second phase with Judo is a good opportunity to see where these talents may have the potential to be developed.” he adds.

The day involved assessing athletes’ ability to pick up fundamental judo movements to see if they had some of the raw talent needed for the sport.

“We have been working with the EIS and UK Sport who have screened rugby and football athletes for possible transfer to judo,” says Karen Roberts, British Judo’s Performance Operations Manager.

“Phase 2 saw 19 rugby players, who are targeting the 100kg heavyweight mark, come to the BJPI on Sunday and train with Luke Preston and Olympic silver medallist Kate Howey.” she adds.

As many were introduced to the sport for the first time, several were really taken with the sport and see it as a new sporting challenge.

“The Judo Assessment day was thoroughly enjoyable and very well managed. I now love judo and want to take it up regardless of the outcome of the assessment day,” says David Boycott Brown, formerly at Leeds Carneigie.

“I have retired from rugby and have been looking for a new challenge since and I know in Judo I have found it.” he adds.

For more information about the UK Talent Team visit www.uksport.gov.uk/talent

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