By Callum Ellis
A UNIVERSITY of South Wales student won a silver medal at the 2020 BUCS National Judo Championships in Sheffield.
Eleanor Young, competing in the 1st Kyu grade and above 70kgs category, received a bye in her first round before overcoming Natalie Greenhough from University of Wolverhampton and Anglia Ruskin University student Lucy Williams.
Medallists from world and European competitions were present at the event which took place at iceSheffield over the weekend, including a number of British champions.
While Young – who was beaten by Emily Niven from Portsmouth University in the final – was the solitary representative from the University of South Wales.
“The nationals were a really good experience,” said Young.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect as it was my first time competing in this event and I was the only judo representative from USW, but I enjoyed the event.
“There were some high-level British players in my group, so I was really proud to win the medal. I didn’t put any pressure on myself and was really happy to achieve the result that I did.”
Young, who is from Bristol, began her judo career during her school days at Baileys Court Primary and joined Bradley Stoke Judo Club, where she has remained ever since.
She has continued to progress in the sport and, after obtaining her 1st Dan black belt when she was 15, Young became a member of England’s under-18 set up and advanced to the senior squad.
And she will now participate in the largest university sport event of the year after her second-place finish in Sheffield secured her a place at the European Universities Games this summer.
“I travel home from university every week to train,” she added.
“Up until the competition in the summer, I’m just going to aim to fit in as much training as I can around studying and I’ll be trying to get in the gym as often as I can.
“I was planned on having a quieter year this year to focus on my university work, but the recent result has changed my plans now.”
The 20-year old will test herself on the biggest university stage when she travels to Serbia in July, where more than 5,500 participants from universities across Europe are expected to compete across a range of sports.
