SARAH Biles became only the second Worcestershire judo player to star on the European stage when she brought home the bronze medal from the Junior Cup in Lithuania.

The 18-year-old travelled home with her highest accolade representing the Kidderminster club, equalling the achievement of team-mate and Oympic hopeful Kate Walker, whose first European Cup medal came four years ago.

Still studying full-time at college, Biles has already won medals in Spain, Holland, Portugal and Belgium, however, the European Junior Cup provided a much more difficult task.

The tournament is known for its high standards of martial arts and most British fighters are eliminated early.

Biles had to change her style in the first two rounds, adding new moves to her repertoire and winning with a well-executed hip throw and strangle hold, before facing European number one, Lithuanian Gedutyte.

Fighting a local hero would always prove difficult and the teenager struggled to penetrate her defence and, with 30 seconds to go, was penalised and forced to attack.

Victory was not to be but Biles, who also trains with the Midlands and British Performance Squad, proved to be the champion’s toughest opponent in the competition.

After a five-hour wait, the college student defeated a Croatian opponent to bring home the bronze medal in front of a packed stadium, stunning the crowd with a leg sweep to win.

To join the Samurai club, contact 07761-122977 or visit samurai.org.uk.