Peel on show at home

No British fighter has shown greater improvement in form than the lightweight Cheryle Peel who, having dropped from light middleweight, stormed through three tough international competitions, writes Philip Nicksan.

That ensured her Olympic qualification and selection, in the process seeing off into retirement the former world champion Nicola Fairbrother.

Spectators at the British Open at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham this weekend can see why she won the Moscow, Sofia and Budapest tournaments so stunningly - of 15 fights, she won no fewer than 13 with judo's top score, ippon.

"Since I changed weights, and lost the weight on a proper nutritionist's diet rather than dehydration, I have felt so much more powerful,'' Peel said.

Peel will be joined by Debbie Allan, the European champion who has also seen her career take off since she dropped to featherweight last year. Other leading members of the women's squad will be fighting today including the world junior heavyweight champion, Karina Bryant.