Emma Reid is learning to shrug off the defending champion pressure ahead of a possible second Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2026.
The 31-year-old judoka soared to -78kg glory for Team England at Birmingham 2022, overcoming Wales's Natalie Powell in the final for just the second international gold of her career.
In the years since, Reid has continued to impress, adding world championship bronze in 2024 and European silver mere months ago at the start of 2026.
The European podium marked a crucial moment in the Royston-born judoka's sporting journey, not only battling to a medal, but also against the anxiety that continues to creep up on her pre-competition.
"I didn't put too much pressure on myself going in, but it was the best I had felt in a while," she said.
"I had a run of losses earlier in the season, but then the competition before Europeans I picked it up again, so when I saw my draw, I knew that I could do well.
"That's the moment that I normally crumble because I know that it's such a good opportunity to lose.
"I never feel good in the warm-up or off the mat but as soon as I step on the mat, I feel fine.
"It is so weird because the nerves just take over with me but as long as I can just get through the tunnel and onto the mat then I'm fine.
"I know that however I'm feeling, it doesn't represent the day."
Having noted how she was feeling during competition a few years ago, Reid began working with a psychologist at British Judo.
Since then, she has won all 11 of her international medals, showcasing the importance of having that support behind you.
"I started working with a psych before the last Commonwealth Games in about 2021," she added.
"It has been a big cycle. Everyone thinks you go see a psychologist and you're suddenly fine again, and that's what happened the first competition, I was like, 'oh, I feel amazing'. But then the next competition, I didn't anymore.
"You go in ups and downs but as long as the ups are continually going up, then I'm happy with that."
Reid won her Commonwealth crown in front of a raucous home crowd in Birmingham and hopes to be back this summer for what will be a second-home Games.
Judo was not originally on the sporting programme at Victoria 2026, but when Scotland stepped in to host, the sport also made its return.
It means that Reid could step out in Glasgow in the country where her father was born and grew up in.
"I always thought I would only get one Commonwealth Games, so when it changed to Glasgow and we got back in I knew that was really exciting," she said.
"My dad is Scottish and from Glasgow, so I will have done one in England and one in Scotland which will be fun.
"All his family are going to come, and he has told me that he might be cheering loudly for me but will have to cheer for the Scots as well."
Having settled into her nerves in the past four years, Reid is now shaking off the pressure with the ambition to clinch her second Commonwealth title this summer.
"I'm trying to deal with pressure better again and not put it on myself, but I am confident about Glasgow," she said.
"Hopefully I can go there this time and actually embrace some of the enjoyment that I didn't realise I had at Birmingham last time out."
