Browse Sections

• Rochdale FC
• Rochdale Hornets
• Local football
• Local cricket

Sophie wins top awards

25/ 3/2005

Martial Arts

JUDO star Sophie Cox continued her run of medal successes by winning an under 57 kilos bronze medal in the World Cup series A tournament in Rotterdam last week.

Four competitions and four medals so far this year mean the European silver medallist from 2004 has maintained her ranking in the top eight in the world.

"Obviously I'm delighted to be so consistent at this level," said a satisfied Sophie, "But I know I can still go that little extra to secure that elusive gold medal.

"Once again I lost to former world and Olympic gold medallist Isabel Fernandez of Spain in a semi-final, and once again it was on a penalty for a three-point infringement.

"Fernandez is a legend, but she's 34 and I'm only 23, so providing I keep my form I'm sure I'll reverse the results that are so far in her favour.

"I feel a big win is just round the corner and hopefully it will come in either the European championships in May, again in Rotterdam, or in the World Championships in Cairo in September."

The titanic struggle in the semi-final apart, Cox was again in composed and commanding form in all her fights.

A yuko (five points) win over Maria Lindberg of Sweden was followed by an excellent performance against former junior world champion Inga Golaszewska of Poland. Cox won with two yuko throws.

Even better was the quarter-final defeat of the talented Virginie Henry of France which saw Cox awarded Ippon (10 point score) with a great shoulder throw.

Cox adopted a different style for the bronze medal fight-off against Olga Sonina of Russia and had to dig deep in a tense tactical battle.
Recognition of Cox's achievements came off the mat.

For the second time she has been awarded the North West Female Player of the Year trophy, and she has also received an award for the most outstanding newcomer to the British Senior Squad in 2004.

This last award particularly delighted her because it was voted for by readers of The World of Judo magazine and sponsored by Fighting Films.

She said: "It is always satisfying to be recognised by one's fellow competitors and those directly involved in the sport."