Deryn Allen-Dyer Takes Judo Gold For Wales

Deryn Allen-Dyer struck gold for Wales on the opening day of the Commonwealth Judo Championships.

The 14-year-old from Merthyr Tydfil won both contests against India’s Muthulakshmi Murugan to claim the F2 -57kg gold medal for visually impaired judoka on day one of the competition in Walsall.

Allen-Dyer was unaware she was fighting a more experienced opponent and said: “I didn’t know I was fighting against a senior judoka. My mum told me after I’d won and I was shocked.

“There are no words to describe how I’m feeling. I’m really happy to win gold for Wales.”

The member of the O’Oshimeyo Judo Club in Merthyr has now set her sights on the Paralympic Games in France in five years’ time.

“I’m thinking about the Paralympic Games – it’s my dream to compete there and I hope I can do it in 2024 in Paris and 2028 in Los Angeles,” she added.

DAY 1️⃣ of the Commonwealth Judo Championships got off to an extremely strong start with Deryn Allen-Dyer (F2-57) winning and Evie Gormley (F2-52) winning . Llongyfarchiadau both! Great work #2019CJAChamps pic.twitter.com/mc6tdbwLux

— #JudoCymru (@Welsh_Judo) September 25, 2019

There was also a sliver for Wales as Eve Gormley finished second behind Kasum of India in the F2 52kg category.

The University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus is hosting athletes from 20 countries at the event which runs until Sunday.

British Judo chief executive Andrew Scoular said: “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for British judoka to become involved in a top-quality event. Hopefully we’ll put on a fantastic event and leave a legacy for all Home Country judoka to follow.