Natalie Powell has taken a huge step towards qualifying for Rio after winning bronze at the European Judo Championships in Russia.

The Cardiff University student beat her British Olympic rival Gemma Gibbons to win the medal in the event in Kazan.

Only one place is available in the -78kg category for this summer’s Games and Powell must now be favourite after again seeing off the 2012 silver medallist.

Powell also beat Gibbons when she won the Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow two years ago.

The 25-year-old mid-Walian said: “I’m so happy!

“I came into these European Championships fitter and stronger than I have ever been.

“My aim was to win the Europeans but I am happy with bronze.”

Powell defeated Croatia’s Ivana Maranic and Slovenia’s Anamari Velensek on her way to the semi-finals.

But there she faced World No 4 Guusje Steenhuis of Holland who just came out on top to put Powell into the all-Brit battle for bronze and Rio bragging rights.