Judo: Bryant confirms her heavyweight talent to keep title

THE BRITISH heavyweight Karina Bryant proved that she is one of the country's greatest prospects by retaining her world junior title in Cali, Colombia, the first time that any Briton has won a world junior gold twice in a row.

Thomas Cousins, the 16-year-old light-middleweight from Dartford, managed a surprise silver, losing to Alexei Cherchnev in the final - an extraordinary performance in an under-20 competition.

Bryant swept past her first two opponents using powerful hip throws, but nearly came unstuck against Japan's Sanae Yokomizo. After starting confidently, Bryant found herself caught in a hold and only managed to escape after a fierce struggle.

Finding herself a waza-ari (seven points) down, she stormed back into the attack, finally winning with a throw and a hold. In the final, she faced a Korean, Sook-Le Choi, whom she threw for waza-ari, following up quickly with a hold.

Bryant will now return for the European team championships in Austria at the weekend.