Karina Bryant delivered a bronze medal for Britain at the European Judo Championships in Russia.
The 33-year-old heavyweight won through her Pool, but was eventually beaten by home fighter and three-time European champion Elena Ivashchenko.
That put the Camberley judoka into the repechage and the chance for a bronze, which Bryant delivered with victory over Larisa Ceric of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
After recovering from a serious neck injury which ruled her out for six months last year, Bryant has Olympic success in her sights.
"I am pleased with my performance, it gave me a great opportunity to see how my preparation has been going and where I am at this stage of my plan up to London," she said.
In the men's under-90kg Winston Gordon, a two-time Olympian, lost his Pool semi-final to Varlam Liparteliani of Georgia.
Under-100kg fighter James Austin beat Frenchman Cyril Maret before tasting defeat against German Dino Pfeiffer by ippon, while in the +100kg category Chris Sherrington went out to France's Matthieu Bataille.
British heavyweight Sarah Adlington lost her first fight to Ukraine's Iryna Kindzerska.
Britain will fight in the team competition on Sunday, which concludes the event in Chelyabinsk.