Nekoda Smythe-Davis ready to put herself first in Olympic bid

This week should have seen Smythe-Davis competing at Tokyo 2020 but with the Games postponed due to the pandemic, she’s been afforded another year of preparation on the mat.

But the extra training isn’t just limited to the dojo for the 27-year-old, who is taking the opportunity to work on her mental approach to competition.

“I don’t like to use the word selfish because I’m not a selfish person,” said Smythe-Davis, one of 1,100 athletes on UK Sport’s World Class Programme, funded by the National Lottery allowing access to world-class coaches, support and pioneering technology.

“People will talk about having to make selfish decisions, I’ve been gradually working towards that and realising that sometimes you will have to do things to benefit yourself.

“Lockdown has certainly provided a moment of reflection in that. You’ve been given another year, it’s almost someone giving you a lifeline and offering you the chance to make the extra year better than it could have been originally.

“It’s about reflecting on what did and didn’t work over the past year and using that to make the next year worthwhile.

“I want to feel happier and more encouraged with how things are going, and not just a case of getting through it.

“I’ve previously been mentally drained, but I want to go to Tokyo feeling a lot mentally stronger, feeling more prepared and not just counting down the days.

“This has definitely been a challenge for me, I’m not a selfish person, and at the end of the day it’s about what’s best for the athlete.”

Smythe-Davis had hoped for a second Olympic appearance in Tokyo, making an injury-hit debut in Rio having been a volunteer at her home London 2012 Games.

And with a strong shot at glory, this year was set to be an extra special one in her bid to add to the 864 medals won at Olympic and Paralympic Games since 1997, when the advent of National Lottery funding brought with it a new era of medal success.

But while disappointment dominated her thoughts, the show must go on for the World Championship and Commonwealth medallist – with less than a year to go until the rearranged Games get under way.

“I had a lot to look forward to during and after the Games, which has changed quite quickly so it’s been about adapting to that and working out where we go next,” Smythe-Davis added.

“It’s been a massive moment of reflection for me. It’s really difficult to process at times, mentally it’s difficult to have something that you’ve been working towards for eight years be picked up and moved out of your grasp.

“It’s a Games that will go down in history. For me, it’s going to feel that I’ve sacrificed a lot, even more so than a standard Games, so I’m really looking forward to being able to have that chance.

“I hope that I can achieve what I want and getting on top of that podium, a goal which I feel is really possible.

“The National Lottery has helped me so much in getting where I am today. As athletes, we’re trained for resilience. You never imagine an injury will happen, so you have to deal with that, and knowing you have that support around you makes a massive difference.”

No-one does more to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes than National Lottery players, who raise around £30 million each week for good causes. Discover the positive impact playing the National Lottery has at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/stories/track-to-tokyo and #TracktoTokyo #NationalLotteryAthletes