Britain return empty-handed from Paris Grand Slam

GREAT Britain's eight-strong judo team returned empty-handed from the first grand slam of the season in Paris.

SLOW START: World silver medallist Karina Bryant is one of two fifth-placed Brits at the opening judo grand slam of the season in Paris (Getty Images)

Having finished third in the overall medal table at the final grand slam of last season in Tokyo, there were high expectations for the British squad in France.

And while Euan Burton, who struck gold in Tokyo, failed to reach the same heights in France, there were fifth-place finishes for both Matt Purssey and Karina Bryant.

Fighting in the -90kg division, world number 70 Purssey beat Korea's world number 25 Young-Woo Kwon in his opening fight before booking a bronze medal match with an ippon win against world number 17 Marvin De La Croes.

But the 28-year old's impressive run came unstuck in the quarter finals against Uzbekistan's world number three Dilshod Choriev, the eventual silver medallist in Paris, who threw him for ippon after 1:45 minutes.

World silver medallist Karina Bryant was the other quarter finalist in Paris in the +78kg division but, in a small field, the 31-year old didn't have to win a match to reach the last eight after receiving two byes.

Bryant ultimately lost her bronze medal fight to Tunisia's world number eight Nihel Chikhrouhou who went on to scoop silver.

World number eight Burton also received a double bye in the -81kg division before losing his first match on a golden score to Moldova's Sergiu Toma in the last 16.

Of the other British males, Ashley McKenzie (-60kg) lost in the last 16 to Uzbekistan's top seed and Olympic bronze medallist Rishod Sobritov, James Millar (-60kg) beat Japan's Daisuke Asano in his opener before losing to France's Dimitri Dragin and Colin Oates (-66kg) lost to world number five and eventual silver medallist Miaragchaa Sanjaasuren.

In the women's divisions, Sally Conway (-70kg), who finished fifth 12 months ago, lost out to France's world number 13 Marie Pasquet, while Sarah Clark (-63kg) fell in the second round to Korea's world number ten Ja-Young Kong.

British Judo performance director Margaret Hicks admitted there was progress to be made ahead of April's European Championships in Vienna.

"From Paris we recognise we still have a lot more work to do with the players, to make the necessary improvements for medals at this level," said Hicks.

"What is important now is the players benefit from the high quality randori they will get in this week's Paris Training Camp and for our coaches to work with them so they learn from this event.

"It is also important to note that this competition is one part of the programme leading to the Europeans and ultimately the Worlds, which is our main target for this year."