Karen Valerie Briggs (married name Karen Inman) MBE (born 11 April 1963) is a British retired judoka. Internationally active throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Briggs was a multiple World (four-time) and European (five-time) champion, represented Great Britain at the 1992 Olympic Games, and won gold for England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. She is a member of the IJF Hall of Fame, and recognised as one of the most successful British and female judoka of all time.[1]
In 1990, she represented England and won a gold medal in the 48 kg extra-lightweight, at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.[3][4]
In 1992, she represented Great Britain at the 1992 Summer Olympics, this was the first time women's judo was included as an official Olympic sport (the first was as a demonstration event in 1988). She placed fifth after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the women's 48kg category.[5]
In addition to her multiple international titles, she won the bantamweight division at the British Judo Championships in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1991.[6]
Awards
In August 2015 Briggs was inducted into the IJF hall of fame.[7]
Personal life
She is married to Peter Inman, son of Olympic judo coach Roy Inman, and now teaches judo at schools in the East Riding of Yorkshire. On 9 July 2013 the University of Hull granted to Karen the award of Doctor of the University, honoris causa.[8]
