FORMER Pinewood Judo Club star Ben Fletcher has won a place in the Team GB squad for this summer’s Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old ex-Emmbrook School pupil was one of seven British judoko to book their seat on the plane to Rio.

Fletcher, who comes from Reading, honed his talents under the guidance of Pinewood’s late and legendary sensei, Don Werner.

He is now based at the University of Bath where he receives top coaching from Juergen Klinger.

Fletcher, who will compete in the men’s under 100kg category in Rio, said: “It’s fantastic to be selected for Rio.

“The last two years in particular have been very stressful, with loads of travel, so to actually go after such a difficult goal and achieve it is amazing. I can’t really put into words what it means.

“I can’t get too excited just yet because I’ve been selected for championships in the past and it’s not quite happened for me further down the road but this is what I’ve been working towards for the past four years.

“When I finally get there and set foot in the Olympic Village, I will definitely feel excited.”

Fletcher has battled his way back from a serious knee injury that ruled him out of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

That was followed by a gruelling two-year qualification period that took him all around the world, after which Fletcher secured a continental qualifying place and his first appearance in the Olympics.

His coach, Klinger, added: “For all of us here in Bath, it is an absolutely exciting thing that Ben has been selected for the Olympic Games.

“We have been trying really hard for a couple of years now to get someone to Rio and he has succeeded.

“It is not just Ben’s achievement, it is an achievement of the whole group. The other athletes prepare him every day in training.

“The whole group has really pulled together and everyone is happy that Ben has been able to complete this phenomenal achievement. It is fantastic.”