EP6: Sydnee Andrews - Judo star shining bright on the world stage

Today on the show we chat with Sydnee Andrews, judo athlete and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist.

Sydnee started judo when she was 5 years old and has rapidly made a name for herself on the national and international stage. Relocating to the United Kingdom, Sydnee is based out of Camberley Judo Club, one of the UK's top judo clubs.

Her grit, determination and drive has provided some outstanding results. Along with her bronze at the Commonwealth Games, her latest efforts saw her create history by being the first NZ judoka to medal at an International Judo Federation tour event – a bronze medal at the Zagreb Grand Prix.

Sydnee shares with us her love of the sport and the values that judo brings to her. We discuss the Tairāwhiti Rising Legends programme and how it has had a positive effect on her career.

We talk about the processes she takes to prepare for matches, looking after the mind and how rest and recovery are key areas of focus for her and how, more importantly, taking that time to just be herself.

Sydnee describes what it was like to win the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and also reflects on her results for this year and what the future looks like.

This is an insightful journey into the life of Sydnee's career, her challenges from school days, to her history-making achievements on the world-stage. Now at the age of 21, Sydnee has her sights firmly set on the Olympics and 2024 looks to be an exciting year!

Ngā mihi o te tau hou! Happy New Year and thank you all our listeners, see you next year, we will be back with more sporting personalities from right here in Te Tairāwhiti.