British Judo sends record squad to Japan

BRITISH Judo has sent a record 25 players to Japan for the final grand slam of the season in Tokyo this month.

TOKYO BOUND: World silver medallist Karina Bryant leads a 25-strong squad to Japan for the Tokyo Grand Prix (Getty Images)

The event is the last of four grand slam events throughout the year which contribute valuable points towards qualification for the 2012 Olympics Games.

And although the British squad are guaranteed participation at the Games as hosts, British Judo head coach Patrick Roux has opted to send ten more judokas than the previous highest from Paris in February.

Britain's sole medallist from August's World Championships in Rotterdam, Karina Bryant will compete in the +78kg while Olympians Euan Barton (+81kg) and Sarah Clark (-57kg) will also be in action.

Other medal hopes include Sally Conway (-70kg), who struck gold at the Belarus World Cup in October, as well as Gemma Gibbons (-70kg) and Ashley McKenzie (-60kg) who each picked up bronze at the European under 23 Championships in November.

The squad will attend a three week training camp before 21 of the 25 will compete in the event which starts on December 11.