Andrews setting her sights on Paris

No stopping her now: Gisborne's Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Sydnee Andrews is back to competition as she keeps her eyes on the Olympic Games. Andrews placed third in the 78-kilogram-plus division at the Games. Facebook picture

Now for Paris.

Gisborne judoka Sydnee Andrews is back in competitive action 9300 kilometres away from her Commonwealth Games medal performance as she looks towards the ultimate sporting arena — the Olympic Games.

Andrews, 19, won bronze in the women's 78-kilogram-plus division at the Birmingham Games in the highlight of her burgeoning career.

She spoke of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after her medal success and tomorrow continues the journey towards that at the world junior (under-20) championships in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Andrews is in Pool A of an 18-strong field divided into four pools.

She faces Oxana Diacenco of Moldova in the first round. The winner goes on to fight Venezuela's Aramantha Urdaneta, who is ranked No.8 junior in the world and is seeded into the next round.

Gisborne Judo Club head coach Jason King is confident Andrews can do well.

“She's been fighting at senior level in Europe — going up against black belts who have been there and done that.”

That has been on top of training in England and attending camps that have been hugely beneficial, as evidenced in a couple of third placings in European Open competitions and her Games bronze.

The junior worlds offer her a great chance to compile valuable world ranking points, King says.

The International Judo Federation has allowed junior world ranking points to go towards senior ranking.

As this is Andrews' last year in the junior age group, she has the opportunity to boost her points tally and chances of ultimately qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

Ideally, King says, she needs to make the top eight in Ecuador.

“That will get her some good world ranking points.”

Following the junior worlds, Andrews will make her way home and is expected to arrive around the middle of next week.

Family, friends and fellow Gisborne Judo Club members will be there in force to welcome her back and King hopes an official celebration of her achievement can be arranged.