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Britain's Yana Rattigan focusing on positives after European Games defeat

Yana Rattigan remains upbeat in the wake of her 4-1 first-round defeat against Oleksandra Kogut at the inaugural European Games.

Great Britain's Yana Rattigan has insisted that she will take plenty of experience away from her European Games campaign.

The Ukrainian-born wrestler, who now represents Team GB after marrying a British coach, lost her first-round bout in Baku against Oleksandra Kogut.

Despite tasting defeat in the women's freestyle 48kg category, falling 4-1 at the Heydar Aliyev Arena earlier today, Rattigan is keen to focus on the positives.

"Everything was great except that I lost," the 28-year-old told reporters. "I have to learn about my opponents, study them. It is important to know which weaknesses and strengths they have. I will come home with a lot of knowledge for the World Championships."

Asked about her decision to represent Great Britain, she added: "In 2007, I came to England for a competition and I was invited to come back as a training partner as there were not so many girls wrestling in England. So I came back and met Leon [Rattigan].

"But first I was only focused on my wrestling career and did not want a boyfriend. However, he did not give up and we got married in 2010. When I got married my visa status changed and I could not compete in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"I had no idea, when I found out about this, I cried my eyes out. But I am still happily married, it is the best thing that ever happened to me, but I did not know it would cost me a possible Olympic medal."

Rattigan won a silver medal at last year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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Leon Rattigan of England competes with Umair Tariq of Pakistan in the Men's 61kg wrestling at Scottish Exhibition And Conference Centre during day seven of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 30, 2014
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