Four years after narrowly missing out on a Commonwealth Games medal, Lele Nairne returns to the stage in Glasgow with redemption on her mind and her brother Ethan by her side.
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Team England Judo
Four years after narrowly missing out on a Commonwealth Games medal, Lele Nairne will return to the stage in Glasgow alongside her younger brother Ethan. Where most would be over the moon about one family member being chosen to represent their country at a major competition, the Nairne family are blessed with two as Lele and Ethan – who is set for his debut – both travel to Glasgow this summer.
For the elder, it means a return to the Commonwealth stage following a fourth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago, beaten to the medals by Scotland’s Malin Wilson. But with her brother by her side and her coach in her corner, this time is bound to be one to remember.
“Glasgow is going to be special,” she said. “I’ve got my brother there, so we’re competing together.
“There was a lot of pressure for me at my first Commonwealths, but this time around it’s different.
“There are not many siblings who can say they went to the Commonwealth Games together so mum and dad have definitely done something right.
“I think we are both fighting on the same day as well, which makes it even cooler.
“He is very supportive of me so it would just be nice to have him cheering me on, and I can cheer him on as well.
“I feel like I paved the way a little bit, and it’s just so nice to see my teammates and my brother all now going as well.”
The 28-year-old from Weston-super-Mare was a late injury replacement who nearly went all the way in Birmingham.
She now comes into her second Games as an established member of the British Judo set-up, including a maiden Olympic Games appearance at Paris 2024 in between.
This year has already seen Nairne climb the international podium, with bronze at January’s Sofia European Open.
And with another four years of experience behind her, a once intense Nairne has been replaced by a relaxed and laid-back Nairne on the hunt for more silverware in Scotland.
“I definitely feel like I’m ready for this one, and I’m a bit more chill about it,” she added.
“I want to redeem myself and get gold.
“Going to a major championships is an amazing experience, with a village, with meeting other athletes and multi-sport discipline events, it is amazing.
“It is a bit of a blessing to be going to my second.”
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