Judo: Singleton fights for mastery of the mat

With two bouncing pony-tails and a bobbing, weaving motion, Georgina Singleton does not match the Western image of a judo champion. She looks somewhat friendly. But in the final of the European Championships in Slovenia earlier this year, Spain's Anna Caracossa found out what Britain's top featherweight is really like.

Singleton took her to the ground and, in a few seconds, wrapped her in a hold which crushed the breath out of her, and secured the title. It was a totally accomplished performance because her four previous fights were also all won within time. The 24-year-old from Pinewood Judo Club in Bracknell was saying, in no uncertain terms, "I have had two European silvers, but now the gold is mine." This is clearly a watershed year for Singleton. She has always been one of the toughest of the British lightweights, a true successor to the world champions, Loretta Doyle and Sharon Rendle. Singleton signalled her nascent talent by winning the world junior title at the age of 17 but then ran into strong domestic opposition from the controversial Debbie Allan who, very publicly, failed the weight at the Barcelona Olympics and disappeared from the scene.

Now the way is clear for Singleton to forge towards the world and Olympic title she has always believed she can win. "I started judo when I was five because a lot of kids on my estate did it." She started at Pinewood – the club of the world champion Nicola Fairbrother and the world bronze medallist Karen Roberts – and though it was only one of a number of sports she did, it was the one where she won gold medals consistently.

She is one of the strongest favourites for a gold medal in the English women's squad in Manchester. She knows it, and does not buckle under the pressure. "It makes me more determined," she says.

Singleton may only stand five feet but she is not lacking in confidence. Newly qualified as a maths teacher, she has just started at Furze Platt Senior School in Maidenhead and teaches the whole range, from 11-year-olds to A levels.

How does a five foot tall, 24-year-old impose her authority on a six foot-plus adolescent who has not done his homework? "First of all, I get him to sit down – then I start talking," she explains. Very matter of fact and very Singleton.

Though a new teacher on the block, she is already becoming known as the judo champ and has become accustomed to karate kid sounds as she stalks the corridors – and this makes her look forward all the more to the Commonwealth Games. "They will see what judo is really about," she said.

Of course, they will see only the end result. They will not see the dedication behind Singleton's success – the early morning runs, the weight training, the careful diet control, the hours of specialist judo training needed to master the complex series of throws, holds, strangles and armlocks. While she has not neglected her academic studies – her degree was in mechanical engineering – she lives and breathes judo and her club, Pinewood.

She went to Reading University to be near to Pinewood and her instructor, Don Werner, who, she admits, has become like a second father. She chose her school because it is only 20 minutes from the club where she does the bulk of her training. And when she fights, in Slovenia or Manchester, or next year's World Championships in Osaka, Japan, she knows Werner will be there, coaching from the side. Her boyfriend is Matthew Pursey, one of the top lightweights in the men's division, and a reserve for the Commonwealth Games. He also is a Pinewood product.

Singleton has already won two Commonwealth Tournaments (events held outside the main Games) and while this one should not give her too many serious challenges, the high profile of the event will prepare her well for the Olympic games. "I am looking towards Athens – I like to fight in the big arenas," she said.