KIDDERMINSTER London 2012 hopeful Kate Walker's hopes of making the Olympics are still up in the air, despite coming ninth at an incredibly hard World Cup event in Poland at the weekend.

The Samurai Judo Club member exited the tournament at the same stage as Faith Pittman, her rival for the under-63 kilogram Great Britain spot, but faced a far tougher side of the draw.

With GB selectors favouring competitors with a recent World Cup medal, Walker, who spent the previous year out with a shoulder injury, is still trying to earn selection.

Coach Andrew Haffner admitted it’s still not clear who will be picked for London.

He said: “Kate doesn’t have a recent World Cup medal because of the period she had out with a shoulder injury.

“However, they may not stick with that criteria, as the World Cups when Kate was injured were much easier because of the time they were held within the Olympic cycle and don’t give a true reflection.

“Therefore it could go right down to the British Open in May.

“The Olympic team is due to be announced before then, but I understand some of the places may not be announced at that time.

“It will all depend on what the selectors consider to be the most important criteria.

“Kate beat her rival at the British Trials this year – for the second consecutive year – but because of her time off injured she is lower in the world rankings.

“Unless they use the Open as a decider, it may come down to which of those is considered most relevant.”

In Poland, some of the best judo practitioners in the world were in action looking to strengthen their case for Olympic selection.

Walker started against Czech opponent Eva Koubkova from the Czech Republic and booked her place in round two with an impressive throw.

In the second round, she came up against home figher Halima Mohamed-Seghir.

After going behind, Walker responded well to throw her opponent and book a third round clash against Germany’s Claudia Ahrens.

Walker started well and was soon a penalty up and looking comfortable but she was knocked out by her German rival’s throw.

Ahrens then went onto beat a South Korean competitor and despite losing to Cuba’s Yaritza Abel in the last four, bounced back to take bronze.

Haffner added: “Nothing can take away the fact that Kate fought well in Poland, with two excellent wins and a good performance in the third.

“Whatever happens with the selections, at least she knows she can hold her own with the top player and if this is the end of the road then at least she has gone down fighting.

“But either way, I am incredibly proud of what she has done and achieved and the way she has gone about it – and to do it while at the same time pursuing a very academic university degree course (in pharmacy) is simply amazing.”

Anyone who wants more details about Samurai Judo Club can call 07761 122977 or visit www.samurai.org.uk Still hoping: Kate Walker