����ý

Wales' most successful judoka, Natalie Powell, has brought an end to a career which saw her win medals at every major championship other than the Olympic Games.

Powell, 33, won bronze medals at both World and European Championships, along with gold at the the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In 2017 she became Great Britain's first female world number one, topping the -78kg rankings following a gold medal at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

She finished seventh at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and also competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

"Having spent over 20 incredible years travelling the world as part of the British and Welsh Judo team, the time has come for me to hang up my judogi and step into the next chapter," said Powell.

Starting at the Irfon Judo Club in Builth Wells, Powell made her debut on the global stage at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where she won silver.

She went on to win nine Grand Slam medals on the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour, along with 21 Grand Prix medals and six at global championships.

She won three European bronzes and another in the World Championship as well as her 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth gold, plus a silver for Wales in Birmingham 2022.

"Putting my journey into words feels impossible," Powell added.

"From being a kid dreaming of going to the Olympics one day, to stepping on the mat in Rio and Tokyo.

"From the highs of winning World and European medals to the training days (some of which I'd rather forget) that pushed me to my physical and mental limits.

"Judo has taught me that I’m capable of much more than I ever believed. It has given me experiences and lifelong friendships far beyond what I ever dreamed."

Powell thanked all her coaches and British Judo staff, paying particular tribute to four-time Olympian Kate Howey MBE, who worked with her throughout her career.

"A special thank you to Kate," she said.

"You have been there for me no matter what, you’ve picked me up when I’ve been at my lowest and celebrated with me at my highest.

"Both on and off the mat you’ve supported me and that is a big part of why I can look back on my career so fondly."

Howey, the only British woman to have won two Olympic judo medals, said: “I have worked with Natalie for a very long time and have had the pleasure of coaching her when she won various World and European medals and ultimately [at] two Olympic Games.

“There have been many highs and some lows in the past 12 years but ultimately through it all, good and bad, I feel privileged to have been part of her judo journey. I wish her all the best for whatever is next in her life.”