CHARLTON’S Olympic medallist Gemma Gibbons signed belts, shared cake and inspired the next Judo generation at her old club last week.


The 25-year-old - who won Britain’s first Olympic medal in the sport for 12 years - returned to the Metro Judo Club where she first learnt the martial art aged six.


Judo hopefuls, parents, and her first-time coach flocked to greet her and her athlete boyfriend Euan Burton last Wednesday [August 15] at Thomas Tallis School where the Metro club now trains.


The silver medallist has been a club member for 19 years since her mother - Jeanette, who died when Gemma was just 17 - first took her to the classes.

Coach Mick Murphy, who has been running Metro for 32 years, said:  "It was fantastic.


"The best thing of the day was at the end, they [Gemma and Euan] sat with the children - off the cuff - and answered all of their question about the Olympics.


"They are such a good team together. She is a silver medallist - sought after - and yet sat down with all the children.


"She is such a down-to earth girl.


"It [the Olympics] hasn’t changed her."


"We surprised her with a cake with silver medal on. We thought she was going to take it home but she cut it up and all the kids had a piece.


The 63-year-old says the club supported the Olympian after her mother’s tragic death from leukaemia.


He said: "I feel great pride. We talent spied and it is a reward for our club too. She’s come through.


"She was on her own from 17 - we have been a major part in her life - we were there for her and now she has done what we all knew she could do."


Mr Murphy praised charity Greenwich Starting Blocks which helped fund Gemma's training and achieve her sporting dreams.