Davies captures surprise bronze

Judo

PHILIP NICKSAN

Reports from Paris

British judo has always managed to produce totally surprising results at international level, and they come no more so than the bronze won yesterday at the Tournoi de Paris by the 24-year- old from Devizes, Julian Davies.

Three months ago, he was not even regarded as the top featherweight in the United Kingdom, but, in Paris, he beat two of the finest in the world, and capped it all by throwing the French champion for ippon.

Meanwhile Nicola Fairbrother, the European champion, slid out of the Tournoi - literally, swept off her feet by a Swede, Perni Andersson.

Draws mean much to the fighting judoka, and Davies took a sharp in-breath when he saw his. But, undaunted, he went out positively against Joszef Csak, Hungary's Olympic silver medallist and threw him with a pick-up for waza-ari, (seven points). Israel Hernandez of Cuba, currently Olympic bronze medallist was next, and was thrown with a side sacrifice throw and Ludovic Delacotte of France went the same way.

Only Yukimasu Nakamura, Japan's world silver medallist, stopped Davies, winning on penalties for passivity, but in the bronze medal fight, Davies picked himself up mentally, catching Christophe Brunet with a fine pick- up counter.

Davies had no explanation for his sudden top form except a long-term goal. "I feel under stress in every fight because I know that it all counts to Olympic qualification," he said.