Chichester athlete sets sights on Commonwealth stage

Sam Walker, who studies physiotherapy at the University of Chichester, is eyeing up the Glasgow competition after winning the under 66kg weight category at the Scottish Championship last month.

Sam has been competing in the sport since he was five years old and now represents Camberley Judo Club and the University of Chichester.

Last year, he had to take a break from the sport after suffering a serious neck injury, but the student is back on the mats.

He said: "This is my first time being senior national champion but more than that I fought up a weight in the Under 66kg as opposed to my usual category at under 60kg, so it was a hard graft."

"It also meant a lot as it was my first competition back in over a year off the mat due to a serious neck injury I suffered in November 2024, so the day was quite emotional for me and my family."

Reflecting on his judo journey, he added: "I earned my first national medal at 12 years old, taking a silver at the Scottish national championships, and then a bronze medal at the British Championships at 13 years old, which is when I decided to stick at it and commit to being a young Judo athlete."

During his school years, Mr Walker clinched three Scottish under-17 titles and six British medals across all age categories.

He was then brought into the British national team training pathway and fought at European competitions.

He then moved to the South East from Scotland, where he joined Camberley Judo Club, an elite Judo training centre, and the University of Chichester to study physiotherapy.

Looking ahead, Mr Walker has his sights set on the Commonwealth Games.

He said: "The Commonwealth Games are next summer in Glasgow, so my main goal is to qualify for that and represent Scotland and the university at Under 60kg.

"Alongside this, I want to go straight into work as a physiotherapist so I can start truly learning the trade and go on to help others."