Westcountry's Gemma Gibbons ends 12 year wait for judo medal

Bath trained judoka Gemma Gibbons became the first British Olympic judo medallist in twelve years when she won silver in the women’s under 78kg category this afternoon. Gibbons, 25, lost to American Kayla Harrison, who becomes her country’s first Olympic judo champion.

When Gibbons, who lives in London, beat French woman Audrey Tcheumeo in the semi-finals she whispered ‘I love you Mum’ in tribute to her late mother.

In the dramatic semi-final, neither Gibbons nor her opponent could score a point during regulation time, and the fight continued into a three minute period of Golden Score 'extra' time. Gibbons finally managed to score in the second minute to claim her place in the final.