Cook retains crown (From Dorset Echo)

Cook retains crown

9:12am Monday 7th May 2012 in Other sport By Echo Reporter

AARON Cook completed a successful defence of his title in the -80kg category at the European Championships in Manchester.

The Dorchester star overcame world number one Roman Azizov after the Azerbaijani was disqualified in the last second of the final round for running off the mat, and now looks set to receive the nomination to compete at the London 2012 Olympics in his weight category.

“I was so fortunate to get him out of the ring right at the end,” said 21-year-old Cook.

“Some people might have said I had lost it. But I knew I won that match.

“I have had so many decisions go against me in the past and finally one has gone my way.

“I have lost three times to him so to beat him is so sweet.”

Michael Harvey also won gold in the -63kg category, beating Vasileios Gaitanis of Greece 14-2, but faces an anxious wait to learn if he will be selected for the Games as his success came in a non-Olympic weight class.

Earlier, 19-year-old Jade Jones was disappointed to only take bronze as she suffered a surprise 16-8 semi-final defeat to Hungary’s Edina Kotsis in the -57kg category.