Karina Bryant takes bronze in Qingdao Grand Prix

Karina Bryant (+78kg) took a bronze medal with an impressive display over the weekend at the 2011 Qingdao Grand Prix in China.

In her final event of the year, Bryant won three of her four fights by ippon, before losing out in the semi-final to Qian Qin of China.

Karina Bryant battles with Qian Qin in the semi-final
Photograph by : Gabriela Sabau / IJF

The first round saw Bryant take victory over Rui Wang (CHN) in little over one minute, whilst her second contest was hard fought against Lucia Tangorre of Italy before grinding out a win by ippon in the only score of the contest.

Round three was another strong performance with a quick win via ippon over Gulzhan Issanova (KAZ) which led to a semi-final with world number three Qin.

Victory over Qin, who took a silver medal in the 2011 World Championship, was always going to be a tough and Bryant succumbed by ippon in just under two minutes to take bronze.

Reflecting on the event, Bryant’s Performance Coach Luke Preston commented: "Karina put in strong performances at both the Tokyo Grand Slam and Qingdao Grand Prix. Her bronze medal in China has sealed her place for the World Master top 16 event in January.

“After a concerted period of rehab early in 2011 her medal winning performances this year have been a great reward for all her hard work. This is very positive moving forward to the ultimate goal of a medal in London 2012."

Commenting on her own performance Bryant said: "My target was made clear this year after my long haul back with rehab - it was to make the top 16. After Tokyo and China we've achieved this, so I am really please with my results."

Other members of the five-strong GB team put in respectable performances with Sarah Adlington taking fifth-place in the +78kg category having lost out to Karina Bryant’s conqueror Qin in the second round.

Euan Burton took fifth-place in the -81kg category after losing out in the third round by ippon to Russia’s world number seven, Ivan Nifontov, following victories by a golden score yuko and ippon.