Gemma Howell loses to French world champion

Team GB's Gemma Howell has been disqualified in the first round of the women's judo -63kg category against French world champion Gervise Emane.

Howell, who recently stepped up a weight from the -57kg category to the -63kg, had been level in the fight with 29 seconds remaining, but the judges awarded the fight to Emane after an illegal leg grab by Howell.

The decision was heartbreak for Howell who had battled hard in the opening minutes of the duel, but was handed a warning for being passive.

She came back well against her more illustrious opponent and initially looked to have been close to gaining a point advantage, but after the decision went to the television replay, it was deemed that the move had been illegal and she was immediately disqualified.