GARVALD judoka Scott Thomson insists there is no better way to sign off from the cadet ranks than by starring at next week’s European Youth Olympic Festival.
There has already been plenty for Thomson to celebrate in 2015, after he celebrated his maiden European Cup Cadets medal in March, after as he finished second in Spain.
He followed that up with victory at the Northern Ireland Open the following month, all of which caught the attention of Team GB, who called the 17-year-old up for the European Youth Olympic Festival in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The event will be Thomson’s last major international competition as a cadet before he makes the move up to the junior ranks, and the Knox Academy pupil is determined to go out on a high.
He said: “I am really glad I am going to Tbilisi as it is something I have wanted to take part in for a long time.
“It will be my last major international competition as a cadet and I will be looking to go out on a high before I move up to being a junior.
“It will also be good because there will be loads of people in the same boat, so it will be good to gauge where I will be ahead of becoming a junior against some of the best from around Europe.
“If I can get a good result it will give me confidence heading to the next level, so it is important I give it my best shot.
“It’s been a bit of an up and down season because I won a silver medal in the European Cup in Spain but then went out of the European Championships in the first round – so I will try my best to finish on a high.” Not only does the trip to Tbilisi give Thomson the perfect chance to wave goodbye to his cadet career, it allows him the opportunity to taste a multi-sport environment for the first time – and he is looking forward to that experience.
He added: “With the competition in Tbilisi being a multi-sport event it is really important that I soak it all up because it will really help for the future.
“I get to watch other sports, as well as just see what else goes on in other sports and pick up some helpful tips.” To follow Thomson and the British team, visit www.TeamGB.com or follow them on Twitter using @TeamGB
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