Chasing Gold at Paris 2024: A Journey of Dreams and Determination
There are a little less than 330 days left until the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Throughout the upcoming months, as we approach the monumental event, we will learn more about Europe's Olympic hopes. First up is Lucy RENSHALL of Great Britain who is currently #1 in the -63kg category.
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Her most recent success includes winning the Zagreb Grand Prix a few weeks ago, her 20th IJF World Tour medal. Lucy's record speaks for itself, and during this series, we will gain deeper insight into our elites, on and off the mat, as they prepare for the Summer Games in 2024.
From Childhood Dreams to Olympic Glory: Lucy's Journey to Paris 2024
Lucy describes herself as being a sporty person from a young age, and the Paris Olympic 2024 goal was set from a very early stage, the only thing she did not know was in which sport she would achieve her childhood dream. She was never pushed to elite level, nor needed much outside influence as her mind was set on one goal, and one goal only.
A time-honored role model came along with the journey. I tried every single sport throughout school, and my parents would take me to lots of clubs. I just loved participating in sports, and I loved the feeling of winning. Then when I was eight, Peter Blood came to my primary school to do a taster session of judo. I, of course, wanted to give it a go. After 6 weeks of trying judo out in school, I joined the SKK Judo Club.
When I started coming through as a younger athlete, I would always be inspired by the older athletes, but being lucky enough to train alongside Sally Conway was so inspiring for me. She is a role model in judo to me. In 2013, the British National Training Centre was formed, and I was selected to be a part of that program. That’s where I began training full-time, and my real turning point into elite level. At the age of 14, Lucy carved her Paris 2024 dreams into the furniture at her parents’ house in St Helens. In 2022, she revisited the caption as #1.
Lucy's Path to Excellence: Overcoming Challenges in the World of Judo
For years and years, the British Judo team had an incredibly strong pool of -63kg judoka. You could have put any of them onto an IJF World Tour event, and you were likely to be guaranteed a medal. Lucy, for several years, was not the first choice, nor the second. Having to fight your way out of your team before showcasing your talent internationally, surely, is mentally more challenging.
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Lucy remained strong on her way. Having the depth of talent in the -63kg in GBR is one of the reasons I have got this far in judo. Although it can be stressful and upsetting at times when things are not going your way, having the girls there is what pushes me every single day. I couldn't skip a session or not give a session my all because I had to train to get to the top.
That was my motivation, To be number one, and train like number two, and that's a quote I will stand by on the rest of my judo journey. I trained alongside Alice Schlesinger and her coach, Pavel, in her lead-up
to the Paris Olympic 2024, and seeing how incredibly hard she worked gave me an insight into what I needed to do to reach her level.
From the Mat to Coaching and Fulfilling a Father's Dream
Lucy’s ultimate timeout is traveling and exploring the world. Her hobby and passion remain on the mat with occasional BJJ classes and coaching at her local club. I coach now at a local judo club in Birmingham, Stewart Judo Academy. I never really thought I would ever find a passion in anything else the way I have a passion for competing, but I have.
I love giving back to the sport and working with other judoka to help them reach their goals and dreams. I want to make as many happy judoka as I can! My dad passed away in 2019. We have always been so close, but judo brought us even closer. He loved watching me compete and train, and he was my biggest supporter.
After he passed, I knew I had to do everything I could to qualify for the Olympic Games. We have always spoken about me going to an Olympics since I was younger, so knowing how proud I would have made him, I carried on training hard every single day to reach that goal. Still, judo makes me feel close to my dad because I’m doing it for both of us. I would love to have an Olympic medal and be supporting other judoka in reaching their goals and dreams, whatever that may be.
