Confidence-boost for Howell after Tunis Grand Prix bronze

Howell was in fine form from the start as she made short work of her opening opponent Tatiana Kovalenko of Russia, winning inside the very first minute before succeeding in her next exchange by ippon.

Japan's Saki Niizoe then proved too strong in the quarter-finals meaning Howell dropped into the repechage final where she faced, and beat, Nurcan Yilmaz of Turkey.

Austria's Michaela Polleres stood in her way in the bronze-medal match but she controlled the match, taking the lead before then winding the clock down to win.

It was the Wolverhampton judoka's third Grand Prix medal at -70kg, having moved up to that weight at the start of last year.

Elite performance coach Jamie Johnson said: "Gemma fought well today showing she can throw, her gripping was good and her newaza is top drawer.

"Her contest management was a lot better which she has been working on. She did well to get another Grand Prix medal which can only give her confidence going into her next competition at the Dusseldorf Grand Slam next month."

Sportsbeat 2018