London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Gemma Gibbons, who lost out in the second round of the World Championships in Rio, is now looking forward to claiming a medal at the next competition, the Rijeka Grand Prix on between 14-15 September in Croatia.

She was one of two Brits fighting in the same -78kg weight category today in Rio – the other being Natalie Powell, but both exited early.

Medal hopeful Sally Conway who was scheduled to compete today was forced to withdraw from the championships last night due to a hip injury. Conway was expected to do well in the -70kg category but the decision to pull her out of the competition was made on the advice of the medical team.

In her first World Championships, Gibbons started well as she took to the tatami against young Kazak athlete Anar Seitimova in her first round bout and beat her comfortably by a waza-ari and yuko.

She then went on to meet Viktoriia Turks of Ukraine in a rematch of their recent contest at the Moscow Grand Slam. Although Gibbons beat her last time out to go on and win bronze, this time fortunes reversed as the Ukrainian caught Gibbons and held her down for ippon.

In the end, the -78kg World title went to North Korean Sol Kyong who triumphed with a waza-ari over 2009 World Champion Marhinde Verkerk who had to settle for silver after a thrilling final. Gibbons holds a fantastic winning record against the Dutchwoman, including victory in the Olympic quarter-final.

Her GB team-mate Natalie Powell, had an extremely tough first draw in European Silver medallist Anamari Velensek of Slovenia, who countered her to throw Powell for ippon.

Still with the next competition on the horizon, both Gibbons and Powell will be looking to put this behind them and move on to the next medal goal.

Reflecting on her performance Gibbons said: “I’m gutted with today – I could have been World Champion, but I’m not.

“I just got caught by Turks and it ended my championships. I wish I could restart the day but that’s not how judo works.

“Now my focus is on the next Grand Prix in Croatia and the Grand Slam events coming up.”

Great Britain Lead Women’s Coach Kate Howey added: “Obviously its not the result that was expected and it is disappointing but this is judo. Gemma is not the only big name to make an early exit today – European Champions Lucie Louette and Abigel Joo both lost their opening contests which shows how unpredictable the sport can be.

“Her year has been plagued with injury and she has only had two competitions since London 2012, but her final preparation has gone really well. We will look at the performance and put it right for the Croatia Grand Prix in a couple of weeks.”

Tomorrow sees the final day of the tournament with Moscow Grand Slam bronze medallist and +78kg fighter Sarah Adlington in action along with young -100kg hopeful Philip Awiti-Alcaraz.

Action starts at 14:00 BST and can be followed at www.ippon.tv or @BritishJudo

Words by Donna Richardson and Chris Wiseman.