Roux targets medal in world test

Team GB head coach Patrick Roux accepts this week’s Judo World Championships in Paris will be “unpredictable” – but remains confident his team can deliver as they continue on the road to London 2012.

Lightweights Ashley McKenzie, James Miller, Craig Fallon, who was world champion in 2005, and Colin Oates, European bronze medallist earlier this year, will compete on the opening day at the Bercy Palais Omnisports.

However, changes to the International Judo Federation competition rules allow two fighters per weight category, which will make the championships twice as tough for British fighters against the sport’s traditional power nations of France, Japan, Russia, Brazil and Korea.

Britain is hoping to return with at least one medal and several top-eight finishes to continue their momentum on the IJF circuit. Roux, however, is under no illusions of the challenges ahead for his 15-strong squad.

He said: “Our guys need five fights to reach the semi-final, and seven for the gold medal match. If they go into the repechage, you need eight fights to be a bronze medallist. If we could get a medal and a couple in the top eight, that would be very good. However, this competition is so unpredictable.”