Born: 1973 (Andover, Hampshire)
Biography:
Kate Louise Howey (born 31 May 1973 in Andover, Hampshire) is a former British judoka who achieved great success throughout her athletic career. She won two Olympic medals and was crowned the World Champion in 1997.
Howey’s remarkable journey began in 1989 when she became the European Junior Middleweight Champion. The following year, in 1990, she proved her dominance by securing victories at both the Junior World Championships and the European Junior Championships. It was clear from an early age that Howey possessed exceptional talent and determination.
Stepping up to the adult class, Howey continued her winning streak in 1991, winning the silver medal at the European Championships, narrowly missing out on the gold to Germany’s Alexandra Schreiber. Later that year, she faced yet another fierce opponent, France’s Isabelle Beauruelle, in the European Championship final, but unfortunately came up short. However, she didn’t let this setback deter her and went on to secure a bronze medal at the 1991 World Judo Championships.
Undeterred by defeat, Howey bounced back and claimed her third consecutive European Junior Championships victory at the end of 1991. She was determined to test her skills on the Olympic stage, and at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, she showcased her talent once again. Although she was defeated in the semifinals by Cuban Odalis Revé, Howey demonstrated great resilience and won the bronze medal against France’s Claire Lecat.
From late 1992 to 1996, Howey transitioned to the light heavyweight division, where she faced new challenges and opponents. At the 1993 European Championships, she faced off against strong competitor Laëtitia Meignan from France. Although she suffered defeat in the semifinals, Howey showed incredible resilience by winning the bronze medal match against Romania’s Simona Richter. Just five months later, at the 1993 World Judo Championships, she once again faced Meignan in the semifinals and emerged victorious, securing her place in the final. Sadly, she lost the final to Leng Chunhui of China and settled for the silver medal.
In 1994, Howey faced tough competition once again at the European Championships. Despite being defeated in the semifinals by France’s Estha Essombe, she showed her fighting spirit and came back to win the bronze medal match. The following year, she faced Belgian Ulla Werbrouck in the semifinals of the 1995 European Championships but fell short. Nevertheless, she once again displayed her resilience by securing the bronze medal.
At the 1995 World Judo Championships, Howey faced Cuban Diadenis Luna in the semifinals and unfortunately suffered defeat. She then faced Ukrainian Tetyana Belajeva in the bronze medal match but was unable to secure a victory. However, she ended the year on a high note by winning the European Team Championships with the British team for the second time.
The 1996 European Championships saw Howey face Belajeva once again. This time, she emerged victorious, but losses to Werbrouck and Essombe resulted in a fifth-place finish. Howey was determined to make her mark on the world stage, and in Atlanta at the 1996 Olympics, she won her first two fights. However, she faced a formidable opponent in Japan’s Yōko Tanabe and suffered defeat. In the hopeful round, she was faced with another tough competitor, Germany’s Hannah Ertel, ultimately finishing in ninth place.
In 1997, Howey made the decision to return to the middleweight category. Her comeback was nothing short of spectacular as she won the World Cup tournament in Paris early that year. Although she was defeated in the quarterfinals at the European Championships by Germany’s Yvonne Wansart, she fought her way to the bronze medal with three victories in the hopeful round. The pinnacle of her career came in 1997 when the World Judo Championships were held in Paris. Howey showcased her remarkable skills and determination by winning all five of her fights, eventually claiming the gold medal against Germany’s Anja von Rekowski.
In 1998, Howey faced a tough challenge at the European Championships. She was defeated in the semifinals by Karin Kienhuis of the Netherlands, ultimately settling for the bronze medal match, which was won by Carine Varlez of France. Despite not achieving a gold medal, Howey continued to persevere and remained a respected figure in the world of judo.
In 1999, Howey added another bronze medal to her collection, further solidifying her standing as a formidable judoka. Her remarkable career left a lasting impact on the world of women’s judo, inspiring countless individuals to take up the sport and pursue their dreams of greatness.
Awards:
– 1997 World Champion
– 1992 Olympic bronze medalist
– Multiple European Championships medals