Bold Euan Burton wins bronze for Britain

EUAN Burton claimed Great Britain's first medal at the European Judo Championships in Vienna when he secured the third bronze of his career.

Burton received a bye in the first round of the –81kg competition and won his first fight against Arutyun Sarkisyan after the Ukrainian was penalised three times. The Scot faced Dutchman Guillaume Elmont in the quarter-final. After both players received penalty warnings, Burton pressed forward and was caught for ippon, losing the bout.

He faced Sergiu Toma of Moldova in the repechage – an opponent Burton lost to at the Paris Grand Slam last year – but he maintained control to secure the win and go into the bronze-medal fight against Antoine Jeannin of France.

Burton held his opponent twice on the ground to score yuko and even up the score before throwing for ippon.

"Having come into the tournament to win and be European champion it is disappointing not to be that," Edinburgh-based Burton said. "I am more relieved than delighted to get the bronze. I felt so good coming into the tournament. I was in good condition and felt strong all the way through. Going into the bronze-medal fight I just didn't want to give him a chance. I just had to go out hard."

Daniel Williams was seventh on his European debut, as was Faith Pitman in the 63kg category.