GB spot for rising star Laura (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

GB spot for rising star Laura

1:00pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in Local

LAURA Dangerfield’s meteoric rise to the top was crowned by a bronze medal at the British Senior Championships in Sheffield and a place on the British Senior squad.

The 22-year-old Samurai Judo Club member has made a dramatic rise to prominence since returning the sport 10 months ago.

She booked her place at the nationals when she won gold medals at the Eastern Area Senior and West of England Senior Opens.

Dangerfield has since moved down from under-78 kilogram category to under-70kgs as her training regime has left her fitter and leaner, but still had to compete at under former weight because of qualifacation.

Despite being one of the lightest players in the section, she recorded a great win in her first contest against a Sussex girl and after three contests had reached the semi-final.

Up against Olympic silver medallist Gemma Gibbons, Dangerfield learned a lesson as she was superbly thrown by the British star.

She was then left needing one last win for bronze and, she gained this with a superb groundwork move leading to a hold for maximum points which also earned her a second level black belt.

“I’m delighted to have won a medal,” said Dangerfield. “The tournament had the best players in the country.”