ST HELENS judoka Lucy Renshall has moved to the top of the -63kg world rankings following an array of impressive performances over the past 12 months.

Renshall, who hails from Eccleston, secured her first Grand Slam title in Antalya in April 2021 which helped secure her place on Team GB for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Following the Tokyo 2020 Games a silver medal at the Paris Grand Slam and two further gold medals at the Baku and Abu Dhabi Grand Slam rounded off a fantastic end to the 2021 season Renshall started 2022 with a fifth place finish in Paris before retaining her Antalya Grand Slam title in April.

Renshall becomes GB Judo’s first world number one since 2017 when Natalie Powell became GB Judo’s first female to top the world rankings in the -78kg category.

Upon hearing of her promotion to world number one Renshall said: “I am so happy to world number one.

"At the start of the year, I wrote down a few personal goals I wanted to achieve in 2022. It is only June and I have achieved one of those goals.

“Whilst it is my name on top of the rankings, I could not have achieved any of this without a fantastic team that support me.

"Without Jamie and the whole team at the British Judo National Training Centre by my side through all the good times and the hard times I would not be where I am today.

“I also have to thank my club coach, Peter Blood at SKK Judo Club, he was the man responsible for getting me started in judo and I would not be where I am today without him.”

Jamie Johnson, GB Senior Women’s Performance Coach expressed his delight.

"This is a great achievement for both her and British Judo," he said.

"There aren’t many judoka in the world that reach the top of the world rankings.

"Just seeing her name at the top of the rankings alongside other judo greats does fill you with a sense of pride.

“Lucy has worked incredibly hard, not just over the past 12 months but through the cadet and junior age groups, and it is fantastic to see that hard work paying off.

“Everybody from her club coach Pete Blood at SKK to all the staff at the British Judo National Training Centre, who have supported Lucy since she joined in 2013 can be incredibly proud of her achievement.

“This also would not have been possible without the continued support from UK Sport, The National Lottery and Wolverhampton University who enable our judoka to access world class staff and facilities.

"I am sure it will not be long until GB Judo has another judoka at the top of the world rankings.”

Nigel Donohue, GB Judo Performance Director said: “To become World No.1 in your chosen sport is an incredible achievement and we are extremely proud of Lucy in achieving this milestone, in her career so far.

“The challenge now is to stay as World No.1 throughout the cycle, though I have no doubt that Lucy will have great confidence in her ability to stay there and build on her success to achieve her ultimate Judo ambitions.”

With the Paris Olympic qualification window opening later this month, Renshall will next compete at the Budapest Grand Slam starting on 8 July.