Judo: Inman rejects the BJA allegations
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Your support makes all the difference.JUST five months after Roy Inman coached the British women's team to three Olympic medals, the British Judo Association has withdrawn his licence - ending his livelihood as a recognised judo teacher.
This follows a BJA Board of Inquiry set up to investigate 'financial irregularities'. George Kerr, the chairman of the BJA, declared yesterday that papers had been given to the police.
Inman immediately refuted the charges and welcomed an investigation.
The announcement was made in a formal statement distributed at the British National Championships, Crystal Palace, on Saturday. This was done without even informing Inman - though he was in the auditorium watching his son compete.
The statement read: 'In the light of subsequent findings of a Board of Inquiry established to investigate financial irregularities the Board of Directors today took the decision to withdraw Mr Inman's membership.'
No evidence or specific accusations have yet been made public.
Inman, 47, who was given an OBE for his services to women's judo, only discovered the statement when it was handed to him by an onlooker. 'It came as quite a shock - especially as I have been a member of the BJA for over 30 years,' he said.
He added: 'I categorically state that I have not knowingly been responsible for any financial irregularities for personal gain, and the decision of the Board of Directors to withdraw my BJA licence seems totally inappropriate.'
Inman had resigned from the post of women's team manager, but is taking the BJA to the industrial tribunal on the grounds of constructive dismissal.
The BJA announcement soured the return to home competition of two of Britain's Olympic medallists, Nicola Fairbrother, who won a silver, and Kate Howey, who won a bronze, and the world and European junior champion, Ian Freeman.
All won - and in impressive style, too. The 19-year-old Freeman made it quite clear that he is the top British featherweight by trouncing all opponents.
Two of his fights in the preliminary rounds were over within 15 seconds; and in the final, against Andrew Frudd (Yorkshire and Humberside) he overcame an early setback when he was countered for yuko (five points) with a powerful ouchi-gari (major inner reap) for waza-ari (seven points).
Neither Fairbrother nor Howey were stretched. Having used throws, holds and armlocks in the early rounds, Fairbrother turned to a strangle to dispatch Natalie Evans (Wolverhampton).
Howey, having moved up to light-heavyweight, claimed the top spot by beating Josie Horton on a decision.
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