Colin Oates lost his bronze medal fight to Musa Mogushkov at the Judo World Championships.
Brave Norwich judoka just misses out on a medal
Great Britain's Colin Oates lost his bronze medal fight to Musa Mogushkov of Russia at the Judo World Championships in Paris.
The 28-year-old from Norwich, who won European bronze earlier this year,battled through to the quarter-finals before losing out against world number seven Leandro Cunha from Brazil.
As one of the top-eight players, Oakes went into the repechage giving the chance to fight for a bronze, and edged past France's David Larose.
However, world number four Mogushkov was just too strong, defeating the Briton on an ippon score.
Lightweights Ashley McKenzie and James Millar both made progress through their opening bouts, but were unable to qualify for the finals block, while Craig Fallon lost his first-round under-66kgs fight.
Oates had entered the World Championships ranked 35th in the world and will be hoping to win one of Britain's automatic home nation selection places for London 2012.
"It is my best ever World Championships, so I guess I have to be happy with that," said Oates.
"I wanted to turn up today, but am still gutted about the way I lost that final fight."
Oates added: "I am really pushing on now and there is more in me, so it is a really good position to be in now.
"London 2012 is always in the back of my mind, but I try to keep it there as you can get carried away with the Olympic Games.
"There are some big tournaments ahead, so I have to stay focused on that."
Positives
Changes to the International Judo Federation competition rules have allowed two fighters per weight category, which will make the championships twice as tough for British fighters against the sport's traditional power nations of France, Japan, Russia, Brazil and Korea.
GB head coach Patrick Roux felt there were plenty of positives to take from the day's action.
"I am very proud of the attitude from British players. Apart from Craig Fallon's disappointment, the fighters lost against guys who are near the top of the game."
Roux added: "One year ago Colin never delivered a result at that level. He is getting more confident and sharp.
"Around each elite player who are now on track for the Olympics we have a small staff working together, which is why we are able to fast-track the development - to bring a player from almost nowhere in the international concept to a bronze medal fight in the world championships, that is something difficult."
Edinburgh judoka Millar went out against world number two and reigning European champion Georgi Zantaraia of Ukraine in the fourth round, while McKenzie was unable to get past Hirofumi Yamamoto of Japan, ranked ninth in the world.
There was more disappointment for Fallon - world champion in 2005 and double Olympian at the lighter under-60kgs - when he lost in the first round by Ippon to Martin Ivanov of Bulgaria after leading earlier in the fight.
Following treatment for a cut above his eye, the 28-year-old from Wolverhampton lost concentration for a moment - a lapse which was to prove decisive.
Wednesday will see European bronze medalist Sophie Cox in action at under-52kgs half-lightweight, while youngster Gemma Howell competes at lightweight and Daniel Williams will fight in the men's under-73kgs.
