I picked Judo as a result of my Dad, He has always taken part in a variety of sports and helped coach at the local judo club, were he took myself and brother along. At first I was not a fan but after my brother started winning medals, I decided to go back and try once more.
My 1st experience of competition was tough for me as i was very nervous, could not stop talking all the way to the tournament, once I had weighed in and was told when I was fighting I was sick everywhere. I did come home with the gold medal for my age group.
My 1st national was the Scottish Championships and I got gold in my age group but also got bronze in the u16 with girls 2 to 3 years older than me. My first British championships resulted in a fifth place and then I just kept climbing the ladder to bronze, silver and gold.
My 1st international was in Maddenburg (Germany), I won gold in the under 44kg, had 5 fights and the feeling was brilliant and having a massive team representing Scotland cheering me on was good in the final and when i collected my medal. still have the photo of that day.
Best memory is a hard one to say as I have had a few memories in judo, however recently have had to plan programmes for my conditioning, strength and judo competitions, as well as sourcing funding and work as I was unsupported. with the hard work i put into all of the above I managed to become British number one, European number one and reserve for Olympic games. As well as picking up 2 international golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze and also a world cup silver medal. This is something I will always remember as I achieved that by believing in my dreams and what want. Second to that is being able to share the glories me and my sister achieve at competitions.
Injuries I have had not had too many during my cadet and junior years as I only really remember breaking my ribs and falling of the judo bus and tearing my ankle ligaments coming back from Holland. However my senior years have been different at the age of 23 I tore my long head bicep muscle and had an operation to repair, which had me out of judo for 4 months, and then at the age of 26 I snapped my acl (knee) and out of competition for 10 months.
Recovery from all the injuries involved a lot of discipline and believe in the support staff I was working with. Also i would use that time to improve other areas that i was weak in by taking part in more gym session and video watching and reading books. I also used my family and friends for comfort and to help distract myself from the competitions I was missing out in.
Goals and Aspirations are something I think is very personal and private, however every day being an athlete I have to daily plan, short term plan and long term plan.
My overall plan is to be the best athlete I can be on the mat, in the gym and personal giving back to the Judo society. I missed out in the Olympic games and managed reserve place, I do not want that a second time round and I want to be representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games and to be standing on that podium. I look to my family, my closest friends and support networks that i work with throughout my career, but i also followed athletes in various sports to watch how the develop and achieve in there sport to help me reach my goals.