Judo: Stormont faces European mountain

ATHENS - New Zealand judoka Rochelle Stormont is confronted by a huge European challenge on Sunday courtesy of the women's 52kg draw released here tonight.

Stormont, 21, must faces experienced Romanian Ioana Maria Aluas, who was fifth at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and placed consistently well at major tournaments in Europe this year.

If the diminutive Aucklander can cause an upset, the obstacle only gets tougher in round two, where world No 2 Annabelle Euranie of France lies in wait.

Stormont's coach Stephen Corkin had seen little of Aluas in action but said it was obvious she would be difficult to topple.

"There are only eight from Europe allowed to qualify and if she's among them then she has to be very good," Corkin told NZPA.

He would be talking with other coaches he knows to discuss the best way for Stormont to approach the Romanian.

- NZPA