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Alice Schlesinger wins judo silver for Team GB at European Games

The 31-year-old competed for Israel at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Alice Schlesinger admitted she will always be affected by her acrimonious switch in allegiance after landing a judo silver medal at the European Games in Minsk.

Schlesinger was well beaten in her -63kg final by triple world champion Claressa Agbegnenou in a competition which doubled as both a European Games and European Championship event.

It was the 31-year-old's biggest success since she split from the Israeli team in rancorous circumstances in the wake of the London 2012 Olympics, and was cleared to compete for Team GB two years later.

Alice Schlesinger
Alice Schlesinger was well beaten by Clarisse Agbegnenou of France (Martin Rickett/PA)

Schlesinger said: "I think what happened will always be a part of me, and I'm still trying to solve it.

"But I'm really happy with where I am now. I have been through a difficult year with illness, so this is a really good way to come back and continue going in the right direction."

Schlesinger is targeting her fourth Olympic Games in Tokyo, having represented Israel in 2008 at the age of 20, and again in 2012 before reaching the second round in 2016 under the British banner.

She added: "I think I've got a lot more experience now as I come towards my fourth Olympics. I've just been working on stuff and really trying not to focus too much on qualifying."

Olympic bronze medallist Sally Conway crashed out of the -70kg category in her first fight after losing to Ireland's Megan Fletcher.

It was a disappointing performance from Conway, who came to the Games as one of only four Great Britain athletes with an Olympic medal, and carried the flag at Friday's opening ceremony.

Conway said: "I think Rio gave me the belief that I can go out and beat these top girls at the highest level because until then I had never won a major championship medal.

"Today was just one of those days and it's OK to be down and upset. But I have to look forward and go on holiday then come back with a fresh mind and ready to go again."

Fletcher, who won Commonwealth Games gold representing England in 2014 before switching to represent Ireland, subsequently missed out on a medal after losing to Barbara Matic of Croatia in the repechage.

Sally Conway
Sally Conway was Great Britain flagbearer at the opening ceremony in Minsk (Martin Rickett/PA)

Great Britain secured another silver medal on Sunday via Naomi Folkard and Patrick Huston in the archery mixed team recurve competition.

The pair were beaten 5-1 in the final by Italy, but it capped another strong day from the Great Britain archery team, after Folkard had teamed with Sarah Bettles and Bryony Pitman to win women's team gold on Saturday.

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Sally Conway of Scotland celebrates winning the Women's -70kg Bronze Medal Contest against Sunibala Huidrom on July 25, 2014
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