FOR Owen Livesey 2014 will always be a year to remember, as the former SKK club fighter completed his fairytale judo comeback with a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Owen left the sport for 18 months after being left disillusioned at not being chosen to compete in the London 2012 Olympics. The former Saints junior, who trains in Camberley, in Surrey, returned to the town to play rugby at Pilkington Recs and at Widnes.
However, after making his return to judo he has never looked back, winning the British Championships in December before going on to qualify for the Glasgow games.
The fairytale was complete when he took gold – beating fellow Englishman Tom Reed in the final.
Owen was unable to be at Langtree Park on Friday as he was in Mauritius for a competition, but his parents John and Joanne were there to collect the award on his behalf.
After receiving the award on her son’s behalf, Joanne said: “It’s fantastic he has won this. He recently won a similar award in Surrey so it is fantastic he has won it in his hometown too.”
Saints chief executive Mike Rush, who presented the award, added: “Owen was a young player at Saints from 11 and toured with the academy and it is fantastic for us to be associated with him.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here