SAMURAI starlet Sarah Biles grabbed the best result of her career so far when she won bronze at the European Junior Cup in Lithuania.

The Kidderminster teenager became only the second Worcestershire women to win a medal at the tournament, following in the footsteps of clubmate Kate Walker.

There was a strong entry for the event, particularly from Eastern European countries who tend to do very well at judo.

With the style of judo quite different from the one studied in Western European, the 18-year-old had to do a lot of quick adjusting.

Most of the British players were going out in the first round, and the draw didn’t look good for the Kidderminster resident.

But Biles’ hard work tightening her moves paid off as she beat a strong Polish opponent, who had won virtually everything on the European cadet circuit this year, with a maximum point throw.

Up against a Lithuanian opponent in round two, she ignored a vociferous home crowd to progress into the next round with a strangle hold.

Biles tasted defeat in the semi-finals when she was edged out by the European number one but bounced back to win bronze, defeating a Croatian opponent with a maximum point throw to win a medal.

Although she has previously won medals in Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Holland, this was her first medal at a European Cup and firmly places her in the league of Kate Walker, whose first European Cup medal was next door in Latvia four years ago.

She trains three nights a week at Samurai and then once a week either at Walsall with the Midlands squad or Dartford with the British Performance Squad.

Biles also helps coach the younger juniors at the club, as well as refereeing and running the table at club events, all in addition to a full-time academic college course.

Anyone who wants more information about the club can call 07761 122977 or visit www.samurai.org.uk