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In terms oi rules Judo is pretty simple. The aim oi the game is to score ten points. The easiest way to do that is by throwing your opponent on their back and holding them there tor thirty seconds - a Ilippon as it’s known in the trade.

Simple? llot really, as iudo is a cunning mix of supreme titness and unbending mental determination. Scotland’s leading exponent oi that art is Joyce lleron. The 30-year-old Bosyth-based athlete took a bronze medal at the world championships last year. The teat was made all the more remarkable by the tact that Joyce retired trom judo between the ages ot 16 and 25. She is currently reigning British champion ot the under 48kg

division and does not intend to give up her crown easily to younger pretenders.

‘I am determined to become world champion. At the time I won the bronze I was quite a way behind the other girls physically and mentally. Ilow though, I’ve caught up with them and I’ve as good a chance as any. I’m going to be tavourite at the British Championships. I lust do what I’ve got to do.’

It’s always been the problem that Scotland’s top ludo players have gone to England to train in better iacilities. liow, however, things are changing. British mens under 71 kg champion, Billy Kusack has recently setup a training centre at his Edinburgh home.

PING FOCOTLAIIO

A small group or players stay and train at the house. Already it has paid off when Graham Randolph scooped a bronze at the world junior championships. Joyce hopes that this is just the beginning.

‘A low or our top older players are still in England, but now a lot or younger players are staying in Scotland. It’s always been the case that in Scotland you’ve had to be extremely dedicated; so low clubs requires a lot or travelling to train. liopetully now though with this set up there will be more champions like Billy and myself.’ (Philip Oorward)

British Judo Championships, 3-4 December, Meadowbank, Edinburyi.

Events are listed alphabetically by sport, then by day. Sport Listings compiled by Jonathan Trew.

Glasgow

I Race ans Tuesdays. Thursdays and Saturdays. Shawfield Stadium. Rutherglen Road. Glasgow. There are ten races in each meeting starting at 7.45pm.

Edinburgh

I Race ans Tuesdays. Thursdays and Saturdays. Powderhall Stadium. Beaverhall Road. Edinburgh. Each meeting includes ten races. starting at 7.30pm. Race programme free with admission.

Sunday 11

I Open One-llit Epee Meadowbank Sports Centre. Edinburgh. Information: 041 445 1602. 9.30am. Free. A fun competition with a serious edge and a definite point. All the competitors play against one another which means that beginners will have the chance to compete against the very best fencers in Scotland. Since you only need one hit on any part of the body to win your match everyone is in with a chance.

FOOTBALL Saturday 3

PREMIER lEAOlIE

I Dundee United v Rangers Tannadice Park. Dundee. 3pm.

I Aberdeen v Kilmamock Pittodrie Stadium, Pittodrie Street, Aberdeen. 3pm. I Celtic V Motherwell Hampden Park. Glasgow. 3pm.

I llearls V Falkirk Tynecastle Park. Gorgie Road, Edinburgh. 3pm.

I Partick Thistle V llibs Firhill Park. Firhill Road. Glasgow. 3pm.

FIRST DIVISION

I St Mirren V Hamilton St Mirren Park. Love Street. Paisley. 3pm.

I Ayr United V Baith Rovers Somerset Park. Tryfteld Place, Ayr. 3pm.

I Alrdle V Stranraer Broadwood Stadium. Cumbemauld. 3pm.

I St Johnstone v Clydebank McDiarmid Park. Crieff Road. Perth. 3pm.

I Ouniermline v Oundee East End Park. Halbeath Road. Dunfermline. 3pm. SECOND DIVISION

I DOS V Stirling Albion Palmerston Park. Terregles Street. Dumfries. 3pm.

I Oumbarton v Brechin Boghcatl Park. Miller Street. Dumbarton. 3pm.

I East Fife v Berwick Bangers Bayview Park, Methil. Fife. 3pm.

I Meadowbank v Clyde Meadowbank Stadium. London Road. Edinburgh. 3pm. I Stenhousemuir v Morton ()chilview Park. Gladstone Road, Stenhousemuir. 3pm.

Saturday 10

PREMIER LEAGUE

I Celtic V Hearts Hampden Park. Glasgow. 3pm.

I Motherwell v Aberdeen Firpark. Motherwell. 3pm.

I llibs V Falkirk Easter Road Stadium. Albion Road. Edinburgh. 3pm.

I llilmarnock v Bangers Rugby Park. Kilmarnock. 3pm.

I Partick Thistle v Dundee United Firhill Park, Firhill Road. Glasgow. 3pm.

FIRST DIVISION

I Airdle V St Mirren Broadwood Stadium. Cumbemauld. 3pm.

I Clydebank v Hamilton Kilbcwie Park. Arran Place. Clydebank. 3pm.

I Ountermline v Ayr United East End Park. Halbeath Road. Dunfermline. 3pm. I Oundee v ilaith liovers Dens Park. Sandeman Street. Dundee. 3pm.

I Stranraer v St Johnstone Stair Park. London Road. Stranraer. 3pm.

GEE}- Monday 5

I Edinburgh Races Musselburgh Racecourse, Linkfield Road. Musselburgh. First race is at 12.45pm. National Hunt racing to blow your Christmas pressie money on. Better odds than the lottery at any rate.

Saturday 10

I Edinburgh Races Musselburin Racecourse, Linkfteld Road. Musselburgh. First race 12.35pm. National Hunt racing.

ORIENTEERING " Sunday 4

I Scottish Score Championships Dimam Hill. Dunkeld. (lnfonnalion: 04] 634 4428). 10.30am. While innumerable layabouts will be slumben'ng in their sacks. the cream of Scotland's orienteering buffs will be thrashing through the countryside armed with nothing other than a compass and map.

Sunday 4

I Inter ileglon Ski Event Firpark Ski Centre. Tillicoutry. 0786 816205. 11.30am. At the time of writing there's still a distinct lack of on piste snow in them thar hills. but that’s never stopped the fanatics. The best racers representing their regions battle it out with non-stop dual slaloms for the perpetual Inter Region shield.

The List 2—15 December I994 67