Tatum Keen, the 24-year-old judoka from Bitton, showed remarkable resilience as she fought back from a heart-breaking semi-final loss to secure a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
After her hopes of gold were dashed by Cypriot competitor Sofia Asvesta, Keen composed herself swiftly to deliver a commanding performance in the bronze medal match. She defeated Lola Hodson by Ippon (100-0), earning her first Commonwealth medal and a spot on the podium.
Reflecting on her experience, Keen admitted she was devastated following the semi-final but took pride in her determination to recover for the bronze bout.
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“About an hour ago I was really not in a good way, so I just had to pull through. I was in a bit of a pit earlier but managed to crawl my way out of it,” she said. “I’m so happy to come away with bronze. I put it all together and put it into the bronze. I’ve had so many fifths, so I was really feeling the pressure. I’m so relieved and happy to come away with bronze with my family here, so it’s amazing.”
Keen emphasised how this achievement marks an important step forward in her career and provides valuable preparation for the upcoming Olympics.
As one of 251 Team England athletes competing in Glasgow, Keen benefits from essential National Lottery funding, which plays a pivotal role in supporting athletes across the UK.
Leading up to the Games, Keen had impressive second-place finishes at both the Prague European Open and the Tbilisi Grand Slam. She developed her skills at the Bradley Stoke Judo Club in Bristol, drawing inspiration from watching the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and former training partner Lele Nairne.
After her intense competition schedule, Keen is now looking forward to some well-earned rest and indulging in the foods she has been avoiding while cutting weight.
“I’ve been cutting my weight but I can eat food now! I’m going to indulge and I’m going on holiday next week,” Keen shared. “So many people have been here watching me, which has been really nice. I’m taking it all in and I’m now going to have a really good time. I’m going to have pizza tonight, carb load, and then I’m off to Naples next week!”
Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33 million is raised every week to support not only sport but also arts, heritage and community projects throughout the UK. This continued backing empowers athletes like Keen competing on the world stage.