Judo star Stephanie Inglis reveals new struggle in recovery

Scottish Judo star Stephanie Inglis has revealed that she has lost her sense of smell as she continues recovery from a horror motorcycle injury in Vietnam last year.

Stephanie Inglis was left critically injured after a motorcycle accident in Vietnam. Picture: John Devlin

Ms Inglis, who won a silver medal in Judo at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, was taking a break from competitive sport and working as a teacher in Ha Long when the accident occurred.

It was thought that her clothes were caught up in the wheel of a motorbike taxi in the Vietnamese city in May 2016, causing serious head injuries.

She was initially given a minuscule 1 per cent chance of survival, but defied Doctors’ prognosis to fight through setbacks, including pneumonia, to try and get back to full fitness.

Yesterday, Ms Inglis wrote on the official ‘Save Steph’ Facebook page, which was set up to help pay for her medical bills after the accident: “My surgeon is really happy with my progress and how things are going.”

“Unfortunately, I’ve lost my sense of smell and as it was the front lobe of my brain I injured that won’t ever heal and potentially could affect my taste-buds.

“Guess (I’ve) got to take it on the chin and we can agree I’m still very lucky and if that’s now what I have to without it’s not so bad.”

Ms Inglis, who has spoken of her desire to eventually return to judo, had better news to share this morning when she announced that following the DVLA’s assessment she was able to drive again.

She is already back coaching the next generation of judo stars.