Karina Bryant admits she is finally listening to her body as she announces her retirement almost exactly one year on from winning Olympic judo bronze at London 2012.
The 34-year-old finally added an Olympic medal to her long list of achievements in the sport last summer, defeating Iryna Kindzerska of Ukraine in the +78kg bronze-medal match.
However Bryant, who has 15 individual senior medals from World and European Championships, hasn't competed since because of injury with the affects finally taking their toll.
And so almost year to the day that she claimed Britain's second judo medal, Gemma Gibbons with the first with silver in the -78kg category, on August 3 2012 Bryant insists the time is right to call it quits.
"It's been a tough decision but I spent the 18 months prior to London suffering with injury and picked up another at the Games," said Bryant.
"After having surgery twice post London, I tried to get back into full training but aggravated an old injury and I feel my body is telling me this is the right time to retire. There have been so many career highs and a lot of lows.
"Every single title and medal meant so much to me, but having the opportunity to compete in London at a home Olympics meant so much and to perform and win a bronze medal was the icing on the cake.”
© Sportsbeat 2013