From Classroom to Dojo, Scholar Profile – Lucy Williams

Over the next month, we’ll be profiling a different sports scholar each week to find out a bit more about them. These students, who combine their studies with high level sports performance, will be telling us about how they’ve been coping during a challenging year and their plans for the year ahead.

This week we hear from ARU Female Sports Person of the Year and 2020 BUCS National Championships bronze medallist, Lucy Williams.

Name: Lucy Williams

Sport: Judo

Course: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy

Q. Hi Lucy, as a combat sport, the COVID pandemic has had a big impact on your ability to participate in judo this year. How have you been keeping fit through the latest lockdown and with the restrictions that are still currently in place?

A. I’m lucky in the fact that British Judo and England Judo are providing at-home Zoom workout sessions. Our course rep has also organised Zoom Pilates that we can do at home as a course group. Anything that is being offered I take.

Q. What’s your top piece of advice for staying in good health during the different levels of restrictions and lockdowns that we’ve experienced recently?

A. Be organised with your time and work. Make sure to stay on top of university work but also give yourself time to do exercise and have fun!

Q. What’s your personal sporting highlight of 2020?

A. My highlight for the year would be representing ARU and gaining two bronze medals at BUCS Nationals (Women’s U70kg and Women’s Team); joining the GB team and having the opportunity to train with the best judoka in the country and being named ARU's sportswoman of the year in my first year.

Q. Finally, what is your main sporting goal or thing you’re most looking forward to doing in 2021?

A. The main thing I'm looking forward to in 2021 is actually being allowed to train properly again and going to competitions. This year has been really weird having no competitions since March, especially as I'm used to competing every other weekend.

Stayed tuned to our website and social media channels to hear from some of our other sport scholars over the coming weeks and to keep track of Lucy’s progress.