In 2017, Powell became the first female judo to rank number one in the world by winning a gold medal in the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam.
Powell considers this to be her best achievement, besides winning Commonwealth Gold at the 2014 Glasgow Games and winning world and European bronze medals.
And while her passion for judo is still bright and burning, she coaches young people at Cardiff Judo Academy – Powell remembers the moment she realized her competitive career was coming to an end.
It was the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and “Covid Games,” which was supposed to be held a year ago when Powell failed to reach the podium.
“I think this transition probably started after Tokyo. I put my heart and soul into Tokyo, but it didn’t pan out the way I wanted,” Powell said.
“The year after Tokyo, I was very a foot out of one leg. I probably did as much judo, judo, judo, judo, that was what it was like before, but that was life.
She said her focus is changing with her degree in biomedical and her master’s degree in Advanced Coaching Powell.
“I was beginning to gain experience in terms of discussing at school and starting to broaden my horizons outside of judo, and I was very fortunate with my coach Darren (Warner).
“By the time it came, I think I was ready to make that step. For 26 years, my life has been very judo, and in the last 15 years it has been very judo.
“I coach Cardiff Judo Academy and run classes two or three nights a week, so it’s given me so much that it’s really good to be still connected to the judo community.”
