Olympic judo medallist Sally Conway announces her immediate retirement

Sally Conway celebrates her Olympic bronze medal in the -70kg judo contest at the 2016 Games in Rio. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

Conway’s legacy is considerable – she is one of only two British female Judoka to win medals at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

The 34-year-old won bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and says she would have competed in Toyko had the 2020 Games gone ahead as planned last year.

“I always said to myself ‘I will know when the time comes, and I am ready to stop’ regardless of results and performances,” Conway said.

Sally Conway in action against Bernadette Graf of Austria during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

“I think had Tokyo 2020 gone ahead as planned last year, I 100 per cent would have competed. The last year has given me a lot time to take a step back and reflect on the future and some may question the timing with Tokyo less that six months away, but in my heart I feel like now is the right time to take that step back.

“I am so happy with what I have achieved within the sport and how my career has gone that I feel that is it for me now and I ready to close this chapter and see what the future holds.”

Conway took up judo 26 years ago and reached the pinnacle of the sport.

As well as he Olympic medal, she won bronze at the World Championships in 2019 and triumphed at the Paris Grand Slam in 2018.

Sally Conway celebrates winning bronze for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

She also won a bronze medal for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Conway has some firm ideas about what she now want to pursue.

“I would like to try coaching and pass on my experience to young athletes coming through. I also plan to do sports massage, and I also enjoy public speaking. I am just going to see what opportunities arise and see what I enjoy doing, I am really looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

“I have learnt so much through judo and being an elite athlete that I know I have a good foundation on which to build upon in the future.”

The Bristol-born Conway has lived in Scotland for much of her career after basing her training in Edinburgh.

Andrew Scoular, British Judo’s chief executive, said: “Sally has been a pioneer for British judo for a number of years and she will leave a big hole in British judo.

“Her storied career will have inspired a range of new judoka to step onto the mat and we will always be grateful for her contribution both on and off the mat.

“I will never forget some of her career highlights from watching her claim GB’s sole medal at the Rio Olympics to completing her international medal collection at the World Championships in Tokyo. The smile on her face throughout those events was infectious.”

Kate Howey, British Judo head coach, said: “I have watched and been involved with Sally as a judo fighter since she was 16 years old. There have been many highs and lows throughout this time and the highs far outweigh the lows. I have seen her mature from a young girl into an Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth medallist and

watched her hard work payoff in the end.”

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