Started Judo age 6, winning 1st medal aged 8 in Welsh Open. Won many more medals over the years, representing the NHC area on many times, including winning the deciding contest in a team event Germany. Became 1st Dan at 17 and 2nd Dan at 20. Won 2 National Junior Bronze medal’s which gained her a place on the Young Women’s National Squad for 2 years. Was voted Newbury Sports personality of the Year in 1984. Also in 1984 won a Bronze at the Belgium Open. Retired from competitions after back injury in 1988 and turned to coaching a few years later after having 2 boys. Began coaching in 1995 and became Head Coach at Newbury in 2010. Made a brief return to competitive fighting this year, becoming the British Masters Champion in Sept 2013.
Sarah Digweed Started judo in 1979 aged
6, won many competitions over the years. Was national junior champion in 1989
aged 16, senior silver medalist in 1990 and gained a place on the British
womens squad. Retired soon after through a knee injury. Returned to judo in
2001 when my eldest took up the sport when he was eight, gained my level 2 in
coaching and began competing again before again having to take time out through
a serious knee injury, but have made another come back winning the British
masters in September 2013.