London 2012 Olympics: Gemma Gibbons pays tribute to inspirational mother

TEAM GB judoka Gemma Gibbons paid tribute to her late mother as she grappled her way to Olympic silver.

The 25-year-old’s mother, Jeanette, introduced her to the sport when she was six years old. Sadly her mother died in 2004 from leukaemia, but has continued to serve as an inspiration to the athlete, born in Charlton, London. As she won her quarter-final in the women’s under-78kg category, Gibbons said: “I love you mum.”

And she wept with joy and mouthed the word “mum” as she went through to the final, against USA’s Kayla Harrison.