Silver for Briton Gemma Howell at Korea World Cup

Howell returned from injury in May

Britain's Gemma Howell has won a surprise silver medal at the judo World Cup event in Suwon, Korea.

The 20-year-old from Telford knocked out France's 2009 world champion Morgane Ribout en route to the final.

However, she was pipped to gold in the decider by -57kg European champion Corina Oana Caprioriu of Romania.

"It is my first World Cup medal for a few years, so I am really pleased to come to the end of the year on a high," said Howell, ranked 46th in the world.

"Fingers crossed I can also do well at the Tokyo Grand Slam [from December 11-13]," added Howell, whose full-time training regime at the British Judo Performance Institute in Dartford has also helped her win four European Cup medals this year.

Howell beat home fighter Ji-Eun Sung in the first round before dispatching of world number six Ribout by ippon. "I was in the zone, so she was just another player on the mat," reflected Howell.

Gemma has made a dynamic improvement over the last year

British coach Patrick Roux

After seeing off the challenge of Mongolian Battugs Od Tumen with a yuko, Howell put in a determined display against Caprioriu in the final but her yuko was outscored by the Romanian's waza-ari when the clock ran out.

"Gemma once again put in a good performance and this is exactly what we are looking for at this stage in the Olympic cycle - consistency," said Britain's head coach Patrick Roux. "She has made a dynamic improvement over the last year, which is impressive to see."

Britons Colin Oates and Sophie Cox both finished fifth in their respective divisions.

Oates won his first three -66kg bouts before losing out to Liu Renwang of China, who took the bronze.

Cox opened with two victories in the -52kg category but 2010 IJF Masters silver medallist Laura Gomez of Spain put the Briton into the repechage, where the 28-year-old from Rochdale lost to Solongo Baatasaikhan of Mongolia.