February 4 - Britain's visually impaired judo team won four medals, including two gold one - one of which was claimed by Sam Ingram (pictured) - at the German Open in Heidelberg.


Ingram, the 2008 Paralympic bronze medallist, powered through his preliminary fights beating Azerbaijan's Zakir Mislimov, Austria's Nahwan Badi and America's Robert Deese, placing him the semi-final against Beijing Paralympic silver medallist Tofig Mammadov of Azerbaijan.

The Coventry player claimed the fight with an ippon score, setting him up for his final fight against Germany’s Sebastian Junk in front of his opponent’s home crowd.

But Ingram overcame him and took the gold medal, his first in the event.

Dartford's Ben Quilter continued his successful feats at this event by taking the second gold medal, adding to his silver medal in 2008, and gold in 2006.

Quilter progressed through his preliminaries beating Finland's Teenu Kuusisto, Greece's Eletherios Zervakis and Ukraine's Andriy Butenko, and overcame Ihar Staselka of Belarus in the semi-final.

Quilter was then awarded the gold medal after Ramin Ibrahmov of Azebaijan, the Beijing Paralympic bronze medallist, withdrew.

Joe Ingram started off well, beating Reine Gunnarsson of Sweden, but lost to America's Myles Porter in his second fight.

Ingram managed to cut Germany’s Oliver Upmann’s winning streak short in his third fight, earning his place in the final.

Due to an error by the organisers, Ingram faced Porter once again but settled for the silver medal after a final defeat.

Taking the second silver medal Kendal Judo Club’s Alex Farrington, the only female player sent by Britain, earned her place on the rostrum with only one loss to Romona Brussig of Germany and three wins against Greek pair Nikoletta Fassa and Christina Skandali and America's Cindy Simon.

Britain's Paralympic Programme Manager Dave Sanders, said: "We are pleased with the results.

"It shows good progression in all the players and they all put in strong performances throughout the day.

"As this is the first event of the year for the team, it has put us in good stead for the World Championships in March in Turkey.

"Preparations will continue and we hope the medals keep coming in Turkey."