Burton won Grand Slam gold last in Japan in the -81kg division

Britain had to be content with two fifth-place finishes from the first judo Grand Slam of the international circuit in Paris over the weekend.

Matt Purssey lost the bronze medal bout in the -90kg weight category while 2009 World silver medallist Karina Bryant, was fifth in the +78kg division.

Euan Burton, who won the Japan Grand Slam in December, received two byes but lost in round three at -90kg.

Sarah Clark went out in round two on her return to the -63kg division.

The 2006 European -63kg champion, who won silver at last year's European championships in the -57kg division, easily beat Karen Shammas in round one.

But she picked up penalties against Ja-Young Kong, the last one resulting in Hansoku Maki for grabbing the leg, one of the International Judo Federation's new rule changes.

Purssey reached the last eight by beating Dutch player Marvin De La Croes by ippon but he was then thrown for ippon by Uzbekhistan's Dilshod Choriev in the battle to reach the semi-finals.

With a limited entry in the women's +78kg division, Bryant fought just one fight to take her fifth place and lost to Nihel Chikhrouhou of Tunisia.

Burton, who was handed a bye in the first round, also sat out the second round when his opponent failed to show. However, the lack of action cost him and he lost to Sergui Toma by golden score knockout in his first fight.

GB performance director, Margaret Hicks said: "We recognise we still have a lot more work to do with the players, to make the necessary improvements for medals at this level."

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