A WORLD judo champion who is fighting breast cancer has been selected to carry the Olympic torch through the streets of Hull.

Karen Briggs MBE says she was thrilled when she received her conditional offer to carry the flame on June 18.

She said: "It will be exactly 20 years since I took part in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona

"I am delighted to get this recognition and I'm sure my family will turn out to watch. As I run, carrying the torch, I will be thinking of my family and how lucky I have been beating cancer."

A lot has changed for the four-times world champion, who now teaches emerging talent at the Karen Briggs MBE School Of Judo in Beverley Road, Hull, over the past 20 years.

She married her partner, Pete Inman, 42, in 1994 and they went on to have children, Jade, 16, and Harry, 14.

Off the judo mat, her biggest, personal battle has been with breast cancer after she was diagnosed in October 2007.

She said: "I am officially in remission next year. I feel great and my strength is returning.

"Fighting breast cancer was the biggest fight of my life.

"I was petrified that if I did not pull through I would miss out on seeing Jade and Harry grow up as they were only 10 and 12.

Karen, 48, who lives with her family in Paull, believes her sporting prowess, coupled with the love and support of her family, got her through her ordeal.

She said: "At no point did I ever believe I would not get through it.

"I was shocked when I got the diagnosis. After all, I did not fit any of the criteria for cancer.

"I have always eaten well, obviously taken lots of exercise, don't drink heavily and don't smoke."

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Karen insists she never suffered badly from the condition or the effects of treatment.

"I am one of the lucky ones," she said. "I never really struggled with the condition like some people do."

As part of the celebrations surrounding the London 2012 Olympics, community champions have been selected to carry the torch across the length of Britain.

Karen, who has accepted the conditional offer, expects to receive confirmation from the London Organising Committee Of The Olympic And Paralympic Games in March.

Others who have received conditional offers include, Mike Bromby, head coach at St Paul's boxing academy in North Church Side, Hull, and Claire Stockton, who set up Echoes Foundation.