Seven-strong British team to compete at Paris Grand Slam

A seven-strong British team will compete at the 2012 Paris Grand Slam, one of last major events before the Olympic Games, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February at Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy.

The Paris Grand Slam, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest spectacles in the sport, is the highest points scoring event before the Olympic Games and this year has attracted over 700 judoka.

Further Grand Slams are staged in Moscow, Rio de Janiero and Tokyo with 300 World Ranking List points available to gold medallists, 180 for silver and 120 for bronze.

Sophie Cox, the reigning European bronze medallist, will compete in the -52kg category while fellow British Closed Championships winner Sarah Clark takes to the tatami at -57kg.

Karina Bryant, who missed the British Closed through injury, returns to tackle the +78kg category alongside fellow heavyweight Sarah Adlington who took gold in Sheffield.

Sarah Adlington in action at the 2011 Paris Grand Slam

Ashley McKenzie took bronze at the British Closed and will look for another place on the medal rostrum in the -60kg category.

Colin Oates, the reigning European bronze medallist, competes at -66kg while Masters bronze medallist and fellow British Closed Champion Euan Burton returns to the -81kg category.

British Judo’s Performance Operations Manager Karen Roberts said: “The team have had a fantastic preparation, with three domestic randori camps, international randori at the Olympic Training Camp in Mittersill, Austria as well as competing at the British Closed Championships.

"The Paris Grand Slam marks the start of the 'home straight' for the Games, it’s a very exciting time for the players themselves but also every member of the BJA who have supported them every step of the way.”

2012 Paris Grand Slam entry list

Full British team selection: