Gavin Bailey's First Senior European Championships!

Post date: May 27, 2012 9:53:38 PM

After getting through a rigorous and long selection process, pre training and over-coming last minute injuries, Gavin Bailey finally travelled with the England National Team to Tenerife, Spain for his debut at the 47th European Senior Championships.

Gavin Bailey did not select for the Individual events but won his place in the Team with impressive and solid performances.  England’s first round was against France and with fighters 1 and 2 losing their bouts, the fate of England’s team event was now all left to Gavin to pull one back. 

Gavin’s opponent was an experienced heavy weight medallist, and Gavin gave away both height and at latest 25 kilos in weight.  Gavin started in explosive fashion scoring a kick to lead 2-0 and in true Gavin “The Hornet” style, he was demonstrating the Wado “Tai Sabaki” movement for the remainder of the fight avoiding the attacks from his French opponent until he pulled one back.  Gavin then made a small mistake with 10 seconds of the fight left and allowed the Frenchman to score a take-down, beating Gavin and eliminating England from the competition.

Considering the pressure and stress that Gavin had resting on his shoulders, Gavin performed well and we should all be very proud of his debut achievement.

Gavin Bailey (3rd from right) in pre-training with the England National Team