Bryant steps up Olympic preparations in Kazakhstan (From Your Local Guardian)

Bryant steps up Olympic preparations in Kazakhstan

5:26pm Friday 13th January 2012 in Sport By Stuart Amos

Kingston-born judoka Karina Bryant goes in search of an Olympic seeding on Saturday when she lines up for the 2012 IJF Masters in Kazakhstan.

The 32-year-old heavyweight claimed a bronze at the Qingdao Grand Prix in her last comeptitive event before Christmas leading to an invitiation to take on the world’s top 16 in her weight category in Almaty.

Bryant is one of the outsiders to win the tournament and will be ranked 16th in the +78kg category at the star-studded contest, which is the third-highest ranking points scoring event behind only the Olympic Games and world championships.

Team GB have a full allocation of 14 places for the judo competitions at the London Games, with the five-time world silver medalist the leading British player in her weight division.

And for Team GB judo performance operations manager Karen Roberts, the incentive in Kazakhastan for Bryant and her fellow competitors is clear.

“The 2012 IJF Masters represent a good opportunity for Karina to move further up the world rankings and push for a place in the top eight,” she said.

“If she gets there that would see her seeded at the Olympic Games, which is what all the players are looking to do at this stage.

“We have been awarded the full quota of 14 home qualification places for the Games so the next challenge is for players to be seeded.

“The Masters event will be the highest world ranking points scoring event before the Games and so the competition will intensify this year in Kazakhstan.”

Bryant took up judo as a 10-year-old and earned her black belt just six years later.

She has won more than 20 major medals, including six at the World Championships and four European Championship golds.