KIDDERMINSTER'S Kate Walker gave her growing reputation as one of Britain's best young judo stars a boost with seventh place at the Junior European Judo Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.

Walker achieved the highest placing of any player on the British Squad and her best result to date at major events.

At just 17, the Samurai Judo Club member was the youngest player on the fourteen-strong British squad and was also the lightest player in her under 63 kilos weight category.

Each country is allowed to send one player per weight group and Walker, who has been considered the British number one in her weight for a while, made certain of her place with a silver at the Estonia A tournament earlier this year.

The 32 players in Walker's category were the champions from the best players from their respective countries.

While judo is a minority sport in Britain, France has over half a million judo players, Germany a quarter of a million, and most other western European countries have very substantial judo followings.

The eastern European countries also have the infrastructure and expertise in developing players from the days of communism and always make a strong showing.

Walker could not have had a tougher start, coming up against the Russian number one, who went on to take the gold medal.

The first two minutes were fairly equal, until Walker, with her usual left-hand grip, saw the opportunity for a right shoulder throw.

The throw very nearly worked, but not quite, and the Russian continued on the ground and pulled off an excellent strangle attack to gain a submission and win the contest.

Walker now had an anxious wait to see if the Russian made it to the semi-final, which would bring her back in to the bronze eliminations.

There was no doubt that this would happen because the Russian was beating everybody else very convincingly.

Walker's next test was against a Serbian, and fellow left-hander who always seem to be her toughest opponents.

The Samurai star dominated the contest from the start, but could not get the elusive score and the match went into extra time, where Walker saw her opportunity and won with a neatly executed turnover and armlock.

She was now up against a massive Bulgarian who seemed to tower over her and must have made the weight division with nothing to spare.

However, Walker showed good movement and gripping skills and was able to control the contest, unleashing her special throw for a major score and following up with a winning groundhold.

Her involvement in the competition was ended harshly when she was beaten by a Ukranian opponent who had the benefit of a refereeing decision that should have gone Walker's way.

The British squad manager was delighted with Walker's result and, with two more years at this level, has tipped her to go on to take a medal, possibly gold, at this competition before too long.

For details about starting judo or information about Samurai phone 0776 1122977 or visit the Samurai website on www.samurai.org.uk