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Interview: Kelly Edwards

Sports Mole chats to Team GB judoka Kelly Edwards following her second-round defeat at the European Games in Baku.

Team GB judoka Kelly Edwards suffered disappointment in the -52kg category at the European Games in Baku on Thursday as she was knocked out of the competition in the second round.

The 11-time British champion overcame Zhanna Stankevich of Armenia in her first fight before losing to Romanian Larisa Florian.

The 24-year-old's frustration was compounded by the fact that the tournament is doubling up as the sport's European Championships, while ranking points for the Rio Olympics were also at stake.

Sports Mole caught up with Edwards after her elimination to hear her thoughts.

Kelly Edwards in the women's judo 52kg final at the SECC Precinct during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 24, 2014© Getty Images

Hi Kelly. I'm sure you're disappointed with how things went today, but what's your initial reaction?

"I am really disappointed because I came here to get a medal, so to come away without one is really disappointing. I felt coming into the competition I could [win a medal]."

So getting on the podium was the least of your aims heading out to Baku?

"Well, this is my first major senior international championship, but I really believed that I could be in the mix and be competing for medals and on the podium, so I am disappointed."

How has your preparation been coming into the tournament?

"It's been good. I've had a few problems with my back so I haven't been on the mat an awful lot and it's been down to my physio, doctor and strength and conditioning coach to make sure that I was prepared for this competition."

Finally, what's the plan for you going forward now?

"To be honest, I need to sit down with my coach and plan a bit of what's next for me. I am competing at the British Open at Wembley - that's my next tournament."

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Kelly Edwards in the women's judo 52kg final at the SECC Precinct during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 24, 2014
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