Job Done (Part 2 The Trip)

Some down time before the final

The whole thing was three very short days. One day travelling there.  One day fighting.  And one day travelling back.  But it’s packed full of memories for me. I’m sorry I know this next part is badly written, but its basically how I remember it.

Outside the Venue - Sports Palace

The relief of finally weighing in. making my weight by 0.08kg swiftly followed by two litres of water and a chocolate cookie……swiftly followed by lying down, bloated stomach, feeling sick after just a few mouthfuls of food.

Sitting in the hotel reception feeling very alone. And then finding the wifi access .  My phone just lit up like a little disco and went crazy with dozens of messages of support and belief and kind words.  I was definitely not alone.

A kind Swedish girl who bought me a Tournament T-Shirt after I lent her one of mine.



Watching the other competitors who all had their own journeys.  The women and the older men’s categories fought on the same day. And you have to have massive respect for the great condition and amazing judo some of these guys produced.

An inexplicable mix of extreme nerves and quiet confidence in the tunnel between the warm up area and the arena.

Photo bombed by the handstanding guy!

The great camaraderie of the British Team.  Massive thanks here to my fellow competitors Sam Dobrowolski and Heidi Park.  But also Sarah Hopkins and Diiane White who just completely took it upon themselves to look after and matside coach us.  Truly amazing. 

Standing on the Podium with the Union Jack. Epic.

Cakes and Sangria ….. that was a nice moment.

Phone goes crazy all over again when I get my wifi signal back.  The response from my friends and family was amazing.

Drinks (and more drinks) with GB players  that evening, made up largely by the Aberdeen Judo Club masters team.  Awesome group of people, even if I’m not quite sure exactly what they were saying all of the night.

Chillaxed and and reflective on the empty Malaga Beach early next morning.

No Memories of the flight home, I crashed. I’m not entirely sure I didn’t drool on the old lady next to me.  In any case she looked a little peeved as I woke up during landing.

Hugs from my kids when I get home… all I’d been thinking of.  Priceless.

GB Gold Silver Bronze with Samantha Dobrowolski and Heidi Park