Gemma delayed by the post
Wednesday 9th January 2008, 11:39AM GMT.
Shropshire ace Gemma Howell hopes to deliver more medal glory at the Commonwealth Judo Championships – even though her England invitation never turned up in the post.
The Telford teenager had thought she had been overlooked for the England squad which is jetting out to Mauritius on January 21.
But team officials have now been in touch to confirm she is wanted on the plane to represent her country in the under-57kgs weight division.
Gemma, 17, who is a sixth form student at Adams Grammar School, will be joined by 16-year-old Kelly Edwards from The Rock, who received her invite at the end of last month. Kelly will be competing in the under-48kgs category.
“We had a phone call on Sunday evening wondering where Gemma’s reply was to the Commonwealth Games invite,” her mother Suzanne revealed. “Unfortunately we had not received the letter and we’ve been told they’ve sent out another to confirm it.
“I gather eight people have been selected for the sport of judo, Gemma and Kelly being two. I think there must something in the Telford water because they’re doing so well.”
The duo will get two days to acclimatise in Mauritius, with the competition due to get under way on January 28.
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