A 26-year-old judo champion who trains at Bradley Stoke Judo Club achieved a childhood dream by representing Team GB at this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
Lele Nairne competed in the 57kg category in Paris, where she was defeated by Georgia’s Eteri Liparteliani.
Lele, from Weston-super-Mare, has been training with the club, which is based at Circadian Trust’s Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre, for more than half her life.
She has competed worldwide and puts her success on the international stage down to the belief shown in her at the club.
Before leaving for the Olympics, she said: “To be heading to Paris is an incredible honour and a privilege. It’s also taken years of hard work to get to this point and it also takes a team of people to achieve it.
“I’ve been hugely fortunate to have local organisations such as Circadian Trust and the team at Bradley Stoke Active Centre believe in my potential and support the ambitions we set at the Club.
“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.”
Pete Douglas, team coach of Bradley Stoke Judo Club, said Lele had shown dedication, perseverance and exceptional skill during 18 years of judo training and had inspired others into the sport.
He said: “This really is what it’s all about. Community sport is where talent can really thrive, and we are very grateful to Circadian Trust for their ongoing support of the club.
“Without being able to train at Bradley Stoke Active Leisure Centre we would not have been able to get the club up and running. So, to now have Lele take to the Olympic stage is acknowledgement of how important access to good facilities can be.
“But, of course, she is an incredible judo player and has been a contender from the beginning, never giving up, never giving in despite some serious setbacks.”
After Lele went out of the Games at the Arena Champ-de-Mars, he added: “We could not be prouder of Lele getting to the Paris Olympics. What an experience to have had at only 26 – everyone at the Club has been inspired. Although no medal this time, we are already prepping for the Los Angeles Olympics with a few more athletes – so watch this space.”
Mark Crutchley, CEO of Circadian Trust said: “We have seen many Olympic medals come back from the games from people who have used Active Lifestyle Centres in South Gloucestershire over the past 20 years.
“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.”
Photos: Bradley Stoke Judo Club