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Karina Bryant has won
bronze at the 2010 European Judo Championships, being held in
Vienna, Austria – the seventh European medal of her career.
Bryant’s bronze was
Britain’s second and final result of the Championships, along
with four 7th places.
The four-time European
Champion had a strong start on day three of the Championships,
winning her first contest against Marianne Hollensteiner of Austria
with an impressive throw for ippon.
Progressing to the quarter
final, the 31-year-old faced Larisa Ceris of Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Both players got penalised for passivity early in the fight, but
the Brit took the lead when her opponent conceded another penalty.
Bryant then managed to keep in front and win the fight.
The +78kg fighter then
faced old-rival Lucija Polavader of Slovenia in the semi final.
Bryant secured her last European medal by beating the Slovenian
in the 2005 +78kg final. This time, the Slovenian dominated the
fight and it ended with a disqualification for Bryant having received
three penalties. Polavader went on to win gold.
Bryant’s next fight
against Gulsah Kocaturk of Turkey was her final chance to take
a seventh European medal. The bronze medal contest started slow
with Bryant receiving a penalty for not attacking. Both players
then received a penalty a piece, leaving Karina one penalty point
away from a second disqualification. But the Brit acted quickly,
following up on the ground with a strangle hold, which secured
a submission from Kocaturk for the bronze medal.
This seventh European
medal adds to Bryant’s illustrious CV, which includes four European
titles, seven senior World medals, two junior World titles and
four junior European medals including one gold.
Matthew Purssey had
a good start to the day in the -90kg competition, with a bye in
the first round and winning his first contest against Dmitry Gerasimenko
of Russia. But Purssey failed to overcome the Georgian fighter,
Varlam Lipartelaini, in the quarter final and also lost his repechage
fight, placing him in 7th.
In 2006 Purssey gained
a 5th at these Championships, but this was his European debut
in the -90kg weight category since making the transition from
-73kg.
Samantha Lowe (-78kg)
failed to progress past the first round, going out to Assunta
Galeon of Italy.
Reflecting on the entire
Championships, Margaret Hicks, Performance Director said, “The
performances across the team, with two bronzes and four top eight
places at this year's Europeans are a positive sign that incremental
improvements are being made. This reflects well on the strategy
of our Head Coach Patrick Roux and work from all the coaches.
Progressively more and more players are being connected to the
right level.
“Euan is showing excellent
consistency at present with his medal win. We should also acknowledge
Karina’s seventh senior European medal and her 20th major Championship
medal, taking into account European and World Championships at
both a junior and senior level.”
Karina
Bryant receives her medal from Russian
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
©
David Finch
Media Contact:
Nicola Turner
PR Officer
British Judo Association
(t) 01509 631692/07854
244343
nicola.turner@britishjudo.org.uk
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