SAMURAI star Kate Walker pushed Great Britain squad rival Sarah Clarke all the way at the senior trials.

In her first fight against the Great Britain stalwart, Walker was only just edged out by the former European Champion, who has represented Britain at the last two Olympics.

Walker’s success also ensured that she kept her place in the British Senior Squad.

Five convincing wins ensured Walker made it into the final pool, where she came up against Clarke from Edinburgh.

Now in her early 30s, Clarke is in the last stages of her international judo career, but she is still a formidable opponent and not one that Walker would be expected to defeat yet.

In an intriguing battle of emerging and established talent, both fighters produced impressive performances.

Clarke dominated the early exchanges and two minutes into the match, Walker received a minor penalty for passivity.

However, the Samurai fighter began to take control and equalized a minute later with a backwards throw.

With the fight in the balance, Walker conceded a minor score with just 20 seconds left.

Coach Andrew Haffner said: “That was possibly one of the best contests Kate has ever fought.

“We knew we were closing the gap between her and Sarah, but we didn’t really realize it was so close.

“Kate is going to get stronger and stronger and by next year she will be favourite to win.

“For this year, we’re content just to regain her place on the squad.”

n Several Samurai men have moved up the black belt grades.

Top of the list was Andy Marston, who gained his third level black belt.

Ryan Pitcock gained his second level black belt by defeating everybody in sight at a grading in High Wycombe, while Archi Shrimpton also obtained his second level black after earning the last of his points in spectacular style.

Rob Alloway, formerly a black belt with an unofficial judo organization, also fought very well at the High Wycombe grading and had his official first level black belt confirmed.

Anyone interested in starting judo or information about the club and its activities call 0776 1122977 or visit www.samurai.org.uk