Judo: Howey makes quick advance to semi-finals

KATE HOWEY put herself half-way along the road to winning the European title yesterday when she won her first two contests at the European Championships in Oviedo and reached the semi-finals.

The first match was the marker of Howey's form with the Brit up against the Italian Ylenia Scapin, who has won their last three encounters. But yesterday, the Italian hardly got a look in. Howey started the contest with a series of her trademark pick ups and leg grabs. And although Scapin did come back in the third minute, Howey had already notched up enough attacks to deserve all the referees' flags.

A clean throw, on Cata Rodrigues of Portugal, followed to show that all bodes well for Saturday's semi-final when Howey will meet Karin Kienhuis from the Netherlands. But with four bronze medals and two silvers from previous years, Howey's not taking anything for granted.

"I'm really pleased to have beaten Scapin but on Saturday I will go in thinking it's my first fight again," she said. "It's then that the real business starts."

Also through to semi-final position are light heavyweight Chloe Cowen and the young heavyweight, Karina Bryant.