Academic Helps Judo Player Achieve Olympic Dream
7 December 2011
On the left - Minas Mina and right - Andreas Krassas
I have been delighted to work with my compatriot Andreas, and hopefully the training we do will get him all the way to London 2012 and maybe even to a medal
”Minas Mina
A London 2012 Olympic hopeful who has been receiving scientific support from academics at the University of Derby Buxton travelled to the UK recently after being invited to a 'test-run' of the Olympic Games' Judo competition.
Cypriot Judo champion Andreas Krassas, 21, was accompanied to the event on 2 December by University Sport Science academic Minas Mina, who has been supporting Andreas' nutrition and strength and conditioning training for the past year as he works hard to qualify.
Andreas was invited to the Olympic test event in London, during which the staging of next year's competition was rehearsed, where he will be competing in the under-66kg weight class if his current run of form continues. The former 2008 Junior European Champion currently holds fifteen Judo titles, but has ten more qualifying competitions to get through before his place in the Olympic team can be confirmed.
Andreas said: "As a full time athlete I work out twice a day, and over the last year I have been working with Minas on some challenging strength and conditioning exercise regimes, and specific nutrition programmes.
"Since I began working with Minas my form has definitely improved. I am very happy with the results. His scientific approach to testing and developing specific programmes for me has taken me to the next level."
University of Derby Buxton Sport Science academic Minas Mina, who also hails from Cyprus, added: "I have been delighted to work with my compatriot Andreas, and hopefully the training we do will get him all the way to London 2012 and maybe even to a medal."
For more information about Sports Development, Coaching or Psychology programmes at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
For more information please contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07775 036988, or email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
