Ullapool judo star Malin Wilson says Commonwealth Games medal is best moment of her career so far
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JUDO star Malin Wilson says winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games is the biggest moment of her career so far.
The 27-year-old, from Ullapool, claimed a place on the podium after winning bronze in the 57kg category on Monday.
Wilson defeated Lele Nairne, from England, by a golden point after the fight went into an extra 11 minutes after regulation time.
In the longest bout of the evening, Wilson says she was determined to come out on top and realise her dream of winning a Commonwealth Games medal.
“We put on a good show for one of the last fights of the day,” Wilson joked.
“I was just trying to focus on what my coach would say. During my match I was pretty tired but was always focused on the bout.”
She says standing on the podium at the medal ceremony was her proudest moment as a judoka.
“This is the best one so far, in terms of the size of the event, this is definitely the biggest result for me.
“My other best result would be a European Open medal in terms of the size of event. But there is nothing like the Commonwealth Games. Representing Scotland is what makes it special for me too.”
Wilson says she remembers watching the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and was determined from that day she would compete at the event too.
But an ACL injury last year threatened to kill off her Games dream.
“When I watched the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, I thought I could not wait for it to be my turn.
“When I got injured at the end of the November I thought that I would not be able to go. It all seems a bit surreal, but I am chuffed to win a medal.
“I had an operation within a week of the injury and was still undergoing recovery until now. I’m still not a 100 per cent, but I have been able to do pretty well.”
Wilson is now based in Madrid, but previously was a member of Invergordon Judo Club and Alness Judo Club as well as Highland Budokan in Inverness.
She started her judo career at Lochbroom Leisure Centre, where her dad Brian taught a class. She says her dad and grandfather competing in the sport helped her on her way to get where she is today.
“They introduced me to judo, it is a sport that I would have not seen unless I knew my dad and grandpa did it.
“They opened the door for me without even realising it.”
Wilson is now preparing for European Open competition in the autumn with the Olympic Games in two years time in her mind.
“My ambition is to compete for Great Britain at the Olympics. That is the big picture, there are a lot of competitions to be done before then, but that’s my goal.”
