Carluke judo ace tackled best in Europe

Headshot of Michelle Boyle of the Youth Team GB Judo squad during the Team GB Kitting out and prep camp at Heathrow ahead of the 2013 European Youth Olympic Festival 2013 on Friday 12th July 2013

Michelle, 17, fights in the +70kg category was representing Great Britain at the Festival, held in the Dutch city and was hoping to be amongst the medals.

And for a while it certainly looked as if her dream was going to become a reality as she made light work of her first-round opponent.

However, in her quarter-final fight she came up against Kamila Pasternak from Poland, the reigning European Cadet silver medallist.

And despite her best efforts, Michelle lost by two shidos, meaning she entered the repechage.

In the end, she finished seventh, meaning she narrowly missed out on the bronze medal match.

But Michelle, of Middlehope Farm, refused to be too downhearted after the result and is determined to turn her fortunes around next time of asking.

She said: “I fought hard but I was not at my best out there.

For full details, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.