Dobrowolski: Master of her trade (From Bucks Free Press)

Micklefield star takes Commonwealth title

10:20am Friday 27th January 2012 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

TEN bouts in three days, one Commonwealth title and a standing ovation – and there was also a fight to end all fights against Great Britain’s 2012 Olympian Faith Pitman...it’s been quite a week for Micklefield Judo instructor Sam Dobrowolski.

She said: “I’m really pleased, if not a bit sore. I couldn’t have asked for any more really.

“It was really, really tough. Tougher than I thought it would be, but it was all 100 per cent worth it.”

In a bid to return to the highest echelons of judo after having two children, 30-year-old Dobrowolski put her name down for three massive competitions one after the other.

The British Closed Championships in Sheffield last Sunday was first, and although she just missed out on a place in the GB squad, finishing sixth when only the top four were picked, she gave the selectors a dazzling reminder of what she can do with a titanic fight against Olympic pick Pitman.

She was only beaten on penalty points, but it gave her real confidence for the Commonwealth Championships taking place in Cardiff less than 24 hours later.

And it showed.

Fighting up a weight category, Dobrowolski won the Masters title final inside 30 seconds.

She said: “It was amazing. They closed down all the other mat areas so there was just one fight.

“There was music and smoke as we walked out from behind the screens too. So there was quite a lot of pressure, but my coach told me to just think of it as another fight and that’s what I tried to do.

“But to win it like that, with the Sky Sports cameras there too, was amazing.”

She wasn’t finished though.

The all-in Commonwealth Championships followed and two wins in a row, including a victory over a two-time Olympian, put her in line for a medal.

However, a semi-final defeat and then another defeat in the repercharge meant she just missed out on a bronze.

She said: “I am chuffed to bits with my results. Having the English national anthem played while being crowned Grand Masters Commonwealth Champion and receiving a standing ovation for my efforts really was a proud moment that I will cherish forever.”

“I look like Frankenstein now. I’ve got mat burns all over my head and I managed to put a tooth through the inside of my lip and burst a blood vessel.

“My other half has a posh work do at the Grand Hotel in Brighton [tomorrow] night. It’s the poshest hotel in Brighton and I’m wearing an evening dress.

“I’m going to look great, but my results make it all worthwhile.”

l Micklefield Judo Club team-mate Paul Horseman won silver at the Grand Masters Commonwealths, fighting in the Under 73kg category, while Colin MacKenna was on course for even better until dislocating his shoulder in his semi-final.