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“Karina Bryant won a
silver medal in the 2009 World Championships – taking her total
World medal tally to eight over an incredible 11 year international
career. Her consistency, success rate and sustained excellence
at World level in judo places her in a very elite group of athletes
indeed. Next up - London!” said Densign White, British Judo Chairman.
The British Olympic
Association (BOA) has announced the full list of recipients of
the sport specific 2009 Olympic Athlete of the Year trophies.
To mark outstanding performances in 2009, Karina has been awarded
along with other sporting stars such as Andy Murray, Beth Tweddle
and Phillips Idowu.
Karina has enjoyed great success this year, including taking the
only British medal at the World Championships in Rotterdam.
Along with her World
silver medal, Karina’s consistently successful feats also include
gold at the Tre Torri International and British Open and bronze
at the German Open.
Karina follows 2008
winner James Millar and Beijing Olympians Craig Fallon, and Euan
Burton who have won the award in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The award was introduced in 2005, to mark the BOA’s Centenary
Year and the success of London being awarded the 2012 Olympic
Games. The BOA presented a trophy to each of the 33 summer and
winter Olympic sports for them to award on an annual basis to
their top performing athlete of the year.
Andy Hunt, BOA Chief Executive said: “Following on from the unprecedented
success of Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 2009 has
seen athletes from many of our Olympic sports raise the bar even
higher.
“The award of the Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy recognises
the quality, focus and commitment of athletes who represent the
very best of British talent in their respective Olympic sports.
“I wish all the BOA Olympic Athlete of the Year award winners
the very best as they continue their preparations for Vancouver,
London and beyond.”
©
David Finch
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