Judo: Medal hope Howey loses out in bitter selection row

Olympic silver medallist Kate Howey, dropped from the English team in favour of Samantha Lowe six hours before she was due to leave for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, is to appeal against the late decision of the selection panel.

"They are saying I am not fit but in this whole selection process they have never asked me to do a fitness test," Howey declared. "I am as fit as I was when I won the Olympic silver medal."

Lowe was initially selected by the English Judo Association panel headed by team manager Dennis Stewart because, it was stated, the 20-year-old from Camberley better matched their selection criteria. Howey was chosen as first reserve.

However, two weeks ago an appeal heard by the Sports Disputes Resolutions Panel overturned the decision, arguing that Howey was more likely to win a medal.

Following a further appeal from Lowe the matter was given to a totally new selection committee as two of the four original members, Wyn Bolton and Alan James, had resigned.

A new selection panel was formed, consisting of three independent club coaches and Jon Siddall, chairman of the Sports Disputes Resolution Committee. On Tuesday night they decided to reinstate Lowe because of "reservations" about Howey's fitness.

"We are all shocked," said Howey, a member of Team Bath. "Dennis Stewart saw me at the European training camp earlier this month and he knows I am fit – but it seems the selection panel were not."

Howey is to appeal against the decision and demand a fitness test. "The best way to settle this is to have a fight-off between us which would settle both the fitness and the best person to go."