Randal reaps reward after return to form

With two gold medals - one a complete surprise - and a silver, this weekend in Rotterdam proved to be Britain's most successful of the round of European A competitions. It also saw a return to form for world light middleweight champion, Graham Randal.

The 24-year-old showed from the first 20 seconds in his opening fight on Saturday against a useful Russian, Vitaly Kroutogolov, that this time he meant business - darting into a side-sacrifice throw to score seven points. After that, he had the bit between his teeth and one opponent after another realised that they were on the mat with the world champion. In the final, the Scot from the Edinburgh Judo Club took a clear decision from Edwin Steringa of the Netherlands.

The surprise gold came from Randal's 19-year-old clubmate, Amanda Costello. By the manner in which she disposed of her opponents in five fights yesterday, she will clearly give even world bronze medalist, Kate Howey, a good contest. Among her many throws was a Kata-Gurgma (shoulder-wheel) which launched Min of China.

Cleo Cowen, the 26-year-old light-heavyweight from Newcastle, picked up a silver medal after slicing through the field with throws and armlocks, losing only on a small score in the final to Heidi Rakles (Belgium).