CHARLTON’S Gemma Gibbons is through to the final of the women’s U78kg judo after defeating world number one Audrey Tcheumeo in her semi-final.


There was nothing to separate the duo in regulation time, where the gallant Brit took the world champion into the golden score.


And with just one minute and 27 seconds remaining on the clock, 25-year-old Gibbons threw her French opponent for Ippon to guarantee at least a silver medal.


The final with America’s Kayla Harrison will take place at 4pm.


On winning Gibbons immediately gave thanks to her late mother Jeanette, as she wept and mouthed the word “Mum”.


Her mother died of leukemia when she was 17 and gave her huge support during her early years of judo competition.


Gibbons studied at Westwood College in Welling, which is now Harris Academy Falconwood.


A member of Kidbooke-based Metro Judo Club, she trains at the Dartford Judo Club in Cotton Lane.


Earlier Gibbons defeated Yahima Ramirez (Portugal) by an Ippon score and number seven seed Lkhamdegd Purevjargal (Mongolia) 2-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with Holland’s Marhinde Verkerk.


Despite suffering an injury scare after hurting her shoulder in the fight, she recovered to seal victory in the final 10 seconds by making a reverse leg sweep on her opponent to book her semi-final meeting with Tcheumeo.