By Ian Gordon
Natalie Powell was disappointed not to be part of Wales’ record-breaking medal exploits at the Commonwealth Games where judo was not on the programme.
It meant the 27-year-old was unable to defend the title she won in Glasgow four years earlier though she was one of the first to tweet her congratulations to Team Wales.
With the sport’s base being at Walsall, then judo will surely be part of the schedule in Birmingham 2022.
Though there are plenty of competitions for Powell to focus on before then starting with the European Championships in Tel Aviv when she goes for gold on Saturday (April 28).
Ranked third in the world, the Irfon judoka will be top seed in Israel and one of the favourites in the -78Kg category where she won European bronze in 2016 and again last year.
“It was disappointing not to be able to defend my title from Glasgow, but hopefully judo will be on the programme in Birmingham so that’s cool,” said Powell in an exclusive interview with Dai Sport.
“I’d love to go better this time and win the European Championships. That’s obviously the ultimate goal.
“But I am just trying to focus on the process. When I get caught up in the possible outcome it doesn’t always go to plan.”
Powell, who also won world bronze last year, takes on Hungary’s Evelin Salanki in the first round for a place in the last eight.
But it is the French duo of Olympic silver medallist, 2011 World Champion and reigning four-time European Champion, Audrey Tcheumeo, and her countrywoman Madeline Malonga who are likely to be the threats.
“It is just a case of taking it one fight at a time,” added Powell. “But I’m happy with my form and I’ve had a really good training block going into the European Championships.
“But it is going to be tough.”
Powell’s intensive training before tapering off in the days before she competes involves taking on male opponents who will try and simulate moves she can expect to have to face when she takes to the mat.
She added: “My coach tries to makes it a bit more physically and mentally demanding so when it comes to the competition I’ll be able to cope with whatever comes my way.
“We don’t do test fights as it’s hard to fight women of the same level and weight, but I will have three male partners
“They tend to so simulation stuff changing each time.
“One will pretend to be one of the girls I have got to fight and I have to deal with that and the next guy will come out and will give me a different situation to deal with.”
Powell has been involved in the sport for almost two decades since her mum took her along to the Irfon club in Builth Wells, around eight miles form her home in Beulah.
Now Powell, seventh at the Rio Olympics in 2016, is based in the West Midlands as she builds towards Tokyo 2020 with qualification starting this year.
“One of my friends at school did judo and at home I was always fighting apparently so my mum said that’s a good idea we’l take you to that,” added Powell. “I got into it quickly.
“I’ve been based in Walsall since last January.
“There are pros and cons. When I was in Wales I was the only one of the GB programme so it was a bit more relaxed day to day.
“It is a completely different environment so takes a bit of getting used to. But we are making it work at the moment.”
Powell also has her sights set on this year’s World Championships and also regaining the world No 1 ranking.
She became the first British female to be ranked the world’s best last year – unfortunately missing out on a $50,000 cash jackpot in the end.
Powell explained: “I was really happy getting to No 1 last year as it had always been a goal of mine to get to that No 1 spot.
“It would have been nice to stay there a bit longer.
“I was there for about six weeks but at the end of the year there is a 50K prize for whoever is No 1.
“In the last competition I was in the No 1 spot but I came fifth so it got snatched away for me at the last minute.
“I am No 3 at the moment so a good performance at the worlds and masters later this year would give me a chance or regaining the No 1 spot.”