Saez brings back bronze from Bahamas games
Judo ace bounces back from early defeat to claim medal
Paisley’s Louis Saez was swinging from the palm trees celebrating his bronze in the Bahamas.
The Paisley youngster has returned from the Commonwealth Youth Games after bagging his medal in the 50k category of the judo event.
In what was a stunning haul for the young Scots, Saez was in fine form throughout to ensure he took home bronze for Scotland.
He had started the competition with a close defeat but bounced back, showing real grit and determination in his next bout.
A record of two wins and two losses in the pool matches was enough for him to finish third.
Saez said: “I didn’t get off to a great start and was a bit shaky in my first fight but my whole team inspired me to turn it around in the next few fights.
“With them getting behind me, it gave me a bit of inspiration and I am so happy to be coming away with a medal.”
The medals kept on coming, with Fiona Todman and Emma Forrest both earning their place in the final and picking up silver.
Though disappointed not to come out on top in an intense final bout, the young Scots added to the medal haul.
Bishopton’s Connor Wilson fell just short in his respective category, following bouts against both English and Northern Irish opposition.
A difficult day for him saw Wilson narrowly miss out on a medal of his own.
Saez, 17, whose father Ronnie is currently chairman of Judo Scotland, has also competed throughout Europe, including taking gold at the Matsumae Cup in Denmark earlier this year.
The pair of Saez and Wilson, who compete for Renfrewshire’s biggest judo club, Clyde Judo, based at Park Mains High School, will be part of a team of six heading for the games.
Connor will compete in the under60kg category and Louis, the under90kg competition.
A Scottish Judo spokesman added: “Scottish Judoka triumphed at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas, with four out of the six competitors claiming a medal on the first day of competition.
“Not only did the Scottish Judoka win the first medals for team Scotland at this games, but also as it is the first time judo has appeared at the youth games, it’s the first Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games Judo medals ever.
“All six Judoka faced tough competition throughout the day, however, each Judoka battled hard showing true grit and determination – a real asset to both Team Scotland and JudoScotland.”