Olympics and Paralympics / olympics
From Bradley Stoke to Paris: The quest for a podium finish
The childhood dream came true for Lele Nairne when she made the Team GB contingent for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
But it is a job only half done for the West Country judo champion who has been tipped for a podium finish.
The Weston-Super-Mare born 26 year old has trained at Bradley Stoke Judo Club for over 18 years.
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“To be heading to Paris is an incredible honour and a privilege. It’s taken years of hard work to get to this point and it also takes a whole team of people to achieve it,” she said.
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Nairne continued: “I’ve been hugely fortunate to have local organisations such as Circadian Trust and the team at Bradley Stoke Active Centre who believe in my potential and support the ambitions we set at the Club.”
Pete Douglas, Nairne’s coach, could not be any prouder. “She is an incredible judo player and has been a contender from the beginning, never giving up, never giving in despite some serious setbacks,” he said.
Bradley Stoke Judo Club has been a huge part of Lele Nairne journey of becoming an elite judoka – photo: Lele Nairne
Douglas recounted how Nairne honed her skills as a judoka from an early age: “From her joining 18 years ago, she has now competed all over the world – from Sofia to Sarajevo, Australia to Azerbaijan – and to now be travelling to the biggest arena in the world in Paris means at the age of 26 she should be super proud of herself.
“She has now inspired so many more people into the sport – so she’ll have a lot of fans cheering her on here in the west country, that’s for sure.”
Nairne claimed a bronze medal at the European Cup in Orenburg in 2018, the 2019 European Open in Prague and the 2021 European Open in Sarajevo. She won gold at the Oceania Open in Perth in 2022.
She will take to the Arena Champ-de-Mars on Monday, July 29 to compete in the 57kg weight category.
Nairne will take to Arena Champ-de-Mars on Monday, July 29 to compete in the 57kg weight category – photo: Lele Nairne
“There have been so many ups and downs and I’ve had to dig deep to keep focused but it has all been worth it to be up there competing with the world’s best Judo athletes,” added Nairne.
“To be on this stage at the age of just 26 is so exciting and I really just can’t wait to get there.”
Mark Crutchley, chief executive of the Circadian Trust social enterprise, said: “So many elite sportspeople start their careers in their local community centres with the support of people like Pete and his amazing team at the Bradley Stoke Judo Club.
“We’ve followed Lele’s journey with interest and pride and are chuffed to bits to see her travel to Paris.”
Main photo: Bradley Stoke Judo Club
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