Edinburgh College duo fight off competition from across Scotland to earn medals at national judo championships
Joseph Lawlor (second from left)
An Edinburgh College duo fought off competition from across the country to earn medals at a national judo competition recently.
HND Sports Coaching student Joseph Lawlor won gold in the Under 73kg category at the Scottish Student Sport National Judo Championships held in St Andrews earlier this year, with HNC Sports Therapy Evan Lees earning Bronze in the Under 90kg category.
Evan Lees (far right)
We caught up with them both to find out more about their medal success and how they've enjoyed their experience at College:
What made you choose Edinburgh College for your studies?
Joesph: They had good options for courses and the commute was good.
Evan: I done a Schools College Partnership (SCP) at the College last year so I decided it would be best to come here because I was already familiar with it and knew it would be a good experience.
What were you doing before starting at the College?
Joesph: Beforehand I was studying at Boroughmuir High School.
Evan: I was an S5 student studying my Highers before I left to start College.
How long have competed in Judo and what team are you part of?
Joesph: I’ve only been competing in judo for the last couple years and I currently train at Tanoshii Judo club.
Evan: I am a part of Edinburgh judo club and have been competing for just over 3 years.
What was it like to compete at the Scottish Student Sports Judo Finals?
Joesph: It was very nerve racking because I was tired from the previous rounds and felt the pressure of it being for gold. Also had watched my opponent fight the previous year and he looked very good.
Evan: It was a good experience to be able to represent Edinburgh College for the first time. And it was good to be able to fight and meet different that I usually wouldn't.
How did it feel to win a medal at the competition?
Joesph: It felt good to win gold because I hadn’t done as well the previous year so it felt good to comeback and win.
Evan: winning a bronze medal at the competition felt good since I was one of the youngest at the whole event.
If you could give one piece of advice to a student starting at the college now, what would it be?
Joesph: Show up and stay on top of work because it’s very easy to let it slip.
Evan: Get off to a good start with tests and coursework so you don’t have loads to do at the end of the year and also just enjoy it.
What are your plans for the future? Are you going on to further study after College or into employment? What is your end goal?
Joesph: My future plans are to carry on training and see how far I can take, as well as get my HNC. Then I plan on getting some real-life work experience and trying to figure out what I enjoy and don’t enjoy outside of judo and education.
Evan: I've still not got a definite idea, I am doing my HND in Sports Therapy next year and after that will try to do judo full-time whilst possibly having my own sports massage business.