The second year student, who receives an Anglia Ruskin Sports Scholarship, went into the competition as the Number 1 seed and won gold after seeing off his opponents with relative ease. His longest fight lasted just 2:42 minutes, and he beat his two first-round opponents in a combined time of 32 seconds.
Kavanagh’s success at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield resulted in him being one of two Under 81kg judokas to be selected for the 2014 England Junior Judo squad, although his focus is already on 2016 and securing a place in the Great Britain team for the Rio Olympics.
“It was really surreal coming off the mat knowing that you have just won the British Championships,” said Kavanagh, who is also a member of Ford Judo Club in Romford. “I still get the same feeling despite it being my sixth national title.
“Winning the British Championships should confirm my selection for the European Cup in Portugal in February, and I aim to bring home a medal. Looking further ahead I hope to compete at the European Junior Championships in Bucharest and the World Junior Championships in Miami.
“Results such as this open up fantastic opportunities to fight the best judokas from around the world in some of the toughest competitions. The experience I am getting is bringing me a step closer to achieving my dream of making the Olympic Games in 2016.”
Anglia Ruskin has a thriving judo programme and in addition to offering a degree course specialising in judo, in association with the European Judo Union, Anglia Ruskin has won the men’s judo title at the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships for the last three years. Last month, Anglia Ruskin’s judo squad won the Team of the Year prize at the LIVING SPORT Sports Awards.
Bob Challis, Leader of Anglia Ruskin’s Judo Programme, said: “We are thrilled that Matt has won his sixth national title at junior level, whilst also balancing his studies for his Law degree.
“Matt will continue to progress and make the transition across to the senior stage. He is a huge asset to Anglia Ruskin and will be a leading figure as we aim for a fourth British University title next year.”
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 0845 196 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Andrea Hilliard on t: 0845 196 4727, e: andrea.hilliard@anglia.ac.uk
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Matt lays down the law at judo championships
23 December 2013
Matt Kavanagh, a Law student at Anglia Ruskin University, has landed his sixth national judo title after winning the Under 81kg category at the British Junior Championships in Sheffield.