Good week for judoka and coach

PODIUM FINISH: Australian-based Gisborne judoka Darcina Manuel (second from right) on the podium with her bronze medal at the European Judo Cup competition in Bratislava, Slovakia, last weekend. Gisborne Judo Club coach Kiki Reedy Velloza has been selected by the New Zealand Olympic Committee as a coach for the Rio Olympic Games. She leaves for the Games within the next 10 days. European Judo Union/Photographer: Miroslav Petrik

GISBORNE Judo Club’s Rio-bound Darcina Manuel has had a boost in the lead-up to her participation in the Olympic Games.

First, she achieved a bronze medal in the European Judo Cup competition in Bratislava, Slovakia, last weekend.

And then her club coach, Kiki Reedy Velloza, was chosen by the New Zealand Olympic Committee as a coach for the Games.

Reedy Velloza was thrilled with the news.

“We leave in less than 10 days,” she said, adding that Manuel had put in a spirited performance in Bratislava.

“Darcina won three of her four fights, and lost only by a marginal point in her first fight,” she said.

“She fought back to take the bronze medal.”