Britain’s most consistently successful fighter, Karina Bryant, has reached the record of winning 20 major Championship medals.

After winning her seventh European medal at the Championships held in Vienna recently, Bryant’s illustrious CV boasts four European titles, seven senior World medals, two junior World titles and four junior European medals including one gold.

“I didn’t go into the European Championships this year with the knowledge that if I medalled it would be my 20th major medal, but when my coach Luke (Preston, Camberley Judo Club) told me I was very proud.”

Bryant won her first senior European title in 1998, when she was still a junior. At just 19-years-old she fought Europe’s elite to win the gold medal, but wasn’t phased at the time. She said, “This was a big one for me, as I won it when I was still a junior. But I was used to fighting seniors even then, so I wasn’t put off. I always fought older and bigger players and most of the time I practiced with men.”

Now at 31-years-old, Bryant has an impressive haul of medals under her belt and will compete in her fourth Olympics if she qualifies for London 2012, equalling her idol Kate Howey’s Olympic run.

“I was in awe of the British squad when I was younger. When the Women’s elite team visited my club, I thought they were amazing. As I got older, I really looked up to Kate Howey, she had a very successful career. One of my foreign idols is the French player Christine Cicot, she has an athletic build and good upright judo, which is also how I fight.”

Even with such an impressive record, Bryant doesn’t see herself as an idol for younger judoka as she says, “It is weird to think that youngsters look up to me, because I think of myself as just me.”

Bryant is experienced enough to know that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where you want to be, and you need the support of others to get you through. She said, “I am blessed to have had a lot of influential people in my life, who stand by me and give me the support I need. My family and coaches have been with me all the way.”

Reaching this milestone is a long way from Bryant’s judo beginnings, when her mum, who now lives in Australia, encouraged her not to quit the sport. “When I first started judo I used to cry after sessions to my mum, saying that I didn’t want to do it anymore and she would comfort me. But a week would pass and I would be all excited again before the session. I enjoyed it really,” she said.

As well as working with her personal coach from Camberley, Luke Preston, she has been working closely with Performance Coach Tsuyoshi Tsunoda at the British Judo Performance Institute in Dartford. She says, “ The three of us are building a good relationship, but I am always still learning.”

The Brit’s focus is now on London 2012, with an Olympic medal being the main target - the only medal Bryant is yet to capture. With the appointment of British Judo’s new Head Coach, Frenchman Patrick Roux back in 2009, Bryant has learnt to take a step back and take every year as it comes in the lead up to the Olympics.

“2012 seems far away, but I know time will go quick. There is still a lot of work to be done and I have learnt to look at the big picture, looking at things that might not help right now, but will benefit me later.

“Patrick’s structured strategic plan has helped me, and although it is frustrating for me as I am very impatient and want to progress now, it’s more about putting your trust in people and getting better for that overall goal.”

“At this year’s World Championships, I will still want to perform well, but I see it as more of a stepping stone for London 2012.”

Commenting in Karina’s impressive achievements, Scott McCarthy, British Judo Chief Executive said, “Judo is one of the most physically demanding of all sports and for an athlete to be so successful, consistently, over such a lengthy period of time is a very special accomplishment. 

“Karina is hugely athletic and talented judoka and she continues to amaze by consistently finishing in the medals at European and World levels.  To cap off this incredible career with a medal in London would be the final piece of the puzzle and she appears to be working toward that goal,” he added.  

© David Finch