Olympics: Clark's Judo Push Falls Flat

Britain's Sarah Clark has failed in her bid to win a medal in the women's under 63kg event after being beaten by Claudia Heill
Briton Sarah Clark's bid for a medal in the women's under 63kg event at the Beijing Science and Technology University gymnasium ended in the first round when she was beaten by Claudia Heill.

After just 25 seconds the Austrian scored a yuko and added a koka midway through the contest to appear in control.

However, a quick leg kick by Clark dropped the Athens Olympic silver medalist to the mat on her front to earn the former European champion a waza-ari and put her ahead with two minutes 15 seconds to go.

Heill picked up another score but was still behind until, with 39 seconds to go, she caught Clark off guard to win by ippon.

The Austrian then lost to four-time Olympic medalist and reigning world champion Driulis Gonzalez, denying the 30-year-old Clark a second chance of winning bronze via the repechage.

© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 8/12/2008
 
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