Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist Glasgow 2026: Scott's story
- lorraine381
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Scott has been doing judo his whole life. Having a world champion (Loretta) as a mum and a dad (Billy, also his personal coach) who competed across the world and coached athletes at six Olympic Games, there wasn’t much choice. It’s in his blood. Scott’s judo journey has seen him become two-time British Champion, win numerous Scottish Championship medals and take bronze at the European Cup in Winterthur, before standing on the podium at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal at the under 90kg category.
Scott was an active child, doing judo, rugby and football, as well as being a great swimmer on a Sunday afternoon, ‘coached’ by his grandad Pat at Newtongrange swimming pool! There was never a dull moment as his grandad had him jumping, diving and breaking all sorts of underwater swimming records in the pool! Family holidays were fun, or more like an endurance event, where Scott was often pitched against his older sister Jade, his dad and his grandad to find out who the best swimmer was! Always training.
He spent his nursery years ‘learning to coach judo’ in schools with his mum, dad and other full-time athletes, attending more judo sessions than anyone, whether in his car seat, his buggy or on the mat with the smallest judoka. He was a permanent fixture on any judo mat. As a child, he took part in very few judo competitions, but he attended judo squads on Friday and Saturday to develop his skills and to have fun with his friends.
Weekends were often spent playing rugby and football with school and club mates, in and around judo. It wasn’t until his late teens that Scott started to compete more, putting in more hours each week to grow and develop as a judoka and an athlete. Scott has visited Japan on numerous occasions, training with some of the best players in the world, where sessions often last for three to three and a half hours!
Over the past few years, Scott has combined full-time training with coaching children and squads across the schools and the club, supporting their development from first stepping onto the mat, through to junior and now senior events. He works as part of a wider coaching team at EdinburghJudo, supporting the next generation to develop their skills, set goals and pursue their ambitions.
Training full time in Scotland takes a lot of dedication, travelling out to the national centre at the right times, combining this with gym work and his own club training, as well as working alongside it all to support his life.
Stepping out in front of a home crowd in Glasgow was fantastic for Scott. Something he’d never experienced in the past, but something he could definitely get used to. The crowd was wild, loud and on his side. His first contest was a tough one, against an experienced South African who’d taken part in many European and African events in the build-up. The hall was on fire when Scott threw his opponent for ippon with a lightning-fast variation of tai otoshi.
However, as he threw, it became apparent that he’d injured his knee. After seeing the physio and doctor, it was taped up and secured, and he went on to compete and win bronze, showing composure and steel along the way. This included beating the Australian for bronze who was the number one seed in the tournament and ranked 21 in the world!
Throughout the day, Scott showed resilience and determination and was able to overcome the difficult start to go on and win the bronze medal. To do this in front of his family, friends, teammates, and club mates, and especially in front of children he coaches, was amazing. Scott couldn’t have done this without the support of so many people in his life, whether family, friends, teammates, those he works alongside or simply the positive and supportive people around him.
Now to something else super important. On Thursday 13th August, Scott married his fiancée, Emily. What a wonderful occasion surrounded by some of their favourite people. Two huge life milestones in two weeks.
We are looking forward to what’s next for Scott, in judo and in life once the dust settles and he’s had time to reflect on the last few weeks and months.
Everyone at EdinburghJudo is very proud of you Scott.
