Bronze for Harris at European Championships
Team Bath judo player Darrren Harris struck bronze at the visually impaired European Championships in Hungary.
Harris, who represented Great Britain at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, beat Ilkin Alishov of Azerbaijan in the bronze medal contest at the championships in Debrecen.
He started his campaign in the under-66kg class with a bye and then beat Spain’s Antonio Lopez in the second round. But defeat at the hands of Russia’s Nukh Salikhov saw Harris go into a battle for bronze against Alishov.
Harris took silver in the same weight division when the European Championships were held in Azerbaijan two years ago.
All five members of the British squad came back from Debrecen with medals.
Dave Sanders Paralympic programme manager and head of delegation for the GB squad, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the team’s fantastic results and excellent individual performances. Every player excelled themselves throughout the competition resulting in a clean sweep of five players and five medals – a feat never achieved before.
“It is great to see such exceptional results at such a tough competition and it is an absolute credit to those players dedication, commitment and hard work and indeed each of those players’ support networks,” he added.
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its Team Bath brand, its success is based on the expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities, used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
Members of the media who require further information can contact the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or 01225 443998 or see the Team Bath website.
Posted: Tuesday 7th July 2009
