OVER the next few days we will be publishing reaction from the winners at this year's Pride of St Helens Awards.

We have a 16-page supplement of the awards night complete with all images and the interviews for sale in shops across St Helens inside last Thursday's St Helens Star, all costing just 80p.

The next award interview is that of Lucy Renshall, who won the Sportsperson Award.

St Helens Star: Paul Griffiths collects the award on behalf of Lucy Renshall (inset)Paul Griffiths collects the award on behalf of Lucy Renshall (inset) (Image: St Helens Star)

LUCY Renshall’s outstanding performances on the judo mat earned her the Sportsperson of the Year title.

The 27-year-old’s hectic schedule meant she was could not attend the award night because she was competing in Japan – but she sent a video message she sent her thanks and described how her sights are firmly set on the 2024 Olympics.

Lucy, from Eccleston said: “Unfortunately I can’t be there tonight as I’m in Tokyo competing but I was so happy to even be in the top three for the St Helens Sportsperson of the Year award so to win this award is an honour.

“I am grateful to be able to represent such a great town when I am competing internationally for Great Britain, and I hope you will all support me in the qualifications for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“Thank you so much.”

 

Given St Helens’ sporting talent, winning this title takes some doing, but when you look at her achievements it is easy to see why she got the judges' nod.

Lucy moved to the top of the world in June 2022 – and more than 12 months on she’s still number one in the -63kg rankings.

She has enjoyed another productive year, despite a couple of breaks for surgery, and is now gearing up for the Tokyo Grand Slam in December.

She won bronze at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam in February, before winning gold at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in March.

Lucy qualified for the World Judo Championships in Doha in May and in August won the Gold in the Zagreb Grand Prix - her 20th IJF World Tour medal. She has achieved plenty since starting the sport as an eight-year-old with the SKK Judo Club in Earlestown.

A career so far has taken her to the Tokyo Olympics, seen her collect a European Bronze medal bronze in 2018 at her first major senior event in Tel Aviv, become an under 23 and under 21 European Champion, plus a u21 World Bronze winner.

Renshall, who trains at the British Judo Centre of Excellence in Walsall, is building for a big year ahead with the Paris 2024 Olympics her massive goal.

Highly commended in this category were Michael Callaghan and Hannah Conroy-Lax.