- Date of Birth:
- 06 January 1987 (22)
- Sport:
- Judo
- Home Town:
- Charlton
- Current Address:
- Charlton
Sponsors:
Gemma Gibbons is a Great British prospect for the London Olympics in 2012 in Judo.
Gemma started Judo at the early age of six at the Metro Judo Club in Blackheath thanks to her mum’s encouragement. Her enthusiasm for the sport meant that she began to achieve from an early age winning Gold at the British National Junior Age Championships at just 16 years old.
In late 2004, Gemma had to deal with the tragic loss of her mum Jeanette to Leukemia. Obviously, this was a very traumatic time for her but her mum’s encouragement to do well in Judo saw her make a come back clinching 5th place in Croatia at the Junior European Championships.
After winning Gold medals at the Junior British Open and Closed Championships in 2005, she was selected for the 2012 Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). The funding meant that she was provided with specialist coaching and support on her journey to win Gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
During the 2006 season, Gemma moved from competing at junior level to senior level, winning a silver medal at the Senior Women’s Kings Cup in Denmark. Due to this fantastic result, she was selected to represent GB at the World University Championships held in Seoul where she managed a 5th place.
In September 2006, after her successful performance on the Sport England TASS scheme, Gemma won a place on the British Judo Association Sport England World Class Performance programme. The programme required her to attend full time training at Bath University whilst studying for a degree in sports science.
Gemma had a great start to 2007, winning Gold at the British University Championships securing her place on the British Team for the World University Games in Thailand in August. She will now continue to concentrate on her training at Bath University before her next major events.
Her goals are firmly set on performing to her highest ability at the World Cups and to be selected to represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Games.
Achievements:
2008 British University Championships, Gold
2008 World Cup - Belgium, Fourth
2007 British Championships, Silver
2007 British University Championships, Gold
2007 US Open, Silver
2007 British Senior International Open, UK, 5th
2006 European U23 Championships, Moscow, 7th
2006 British Women’s Senior Closed, Sheffield, Bronze
2006 World University Championships, Seoul, 5th
2006 Senior Women’s Kings Cup, Denmark, Silver
2006 Junior European Championships, 7th
2006 Junior World Cup, France, 7th
2006 Senior Italy B tournament, Bronze
2006 Junior World Cup, Estonian, Gold
2006 Senior Super World Cup, Germany, 5th
2006 Elite Performance Junior Trials, Gold
2005 U23 European Championships, 7th
2005 Junior European Championships, Croatia, 5th
2005 Junior British Open Championships, Gold
2005 Junior British Closed Championships, Gold
2005 Junior World Cup, French, Bronze
2005 Junior World Cup, Germany, Bronze
2005 Junior World Cup, Poland, Bronze
2005 Junior B tournament, Belgium, Gold
