I started at judo when I was 7 years old at Walderslade Judo Club with my twin sister Charley. My sister was an excellent judo player right from the beginning, we were always in the same weight group and she used to beat me in tournament all the time. This made me even more determined to improve, I worked so hard and it finally paid off and I beat my sister. I started competing in red belt only competitions and was winning all the time, which made me realise I was actually good at judo and gave me the drive to get even better. I started to grade up the belts and started to compete in higher level tournaments, I wasn’t winning all the time as I moved up but I was medaling every time and that gave me something to work to. My coach then wanted me to start entering national tournaments against all the top players in the country, I competed in my first nationals when I was 10, I came 5th in the country, a year later I came 2nd in the country. My next battle was competing in the B band nationals to gain a place on the England squad, at the age of 12 I actually did it, I was so proud and so grateful to my coach for getting me there. I changed clubs then as I needed to develop further. I moved to Tonbridge Judo Club. Last year I gained myself a place on the England talent development squad and also on the GB Team by being top in the country in my weight group. My next challenge is to be top in Europe and the world, at the minute I am 11th place but am determined to work my way to the top.

Most memorable sporting achievement to date

My best achievement to date was a 3rd in Croatia world tour and only narrowly missing out to the finals by a penalty.

Biggest sporting disappointment to date

When I was competing in Czech in April I lost all my fights in the European cup. I know I could have medalled but made silly mistakes and it cost me but it’s all part of learning and making myself a better player.

Most respected sportsperson

Gemma Gibbons who gained a silver in the Olympic Games for Judo.

Ritual before sporting competition

I have to wear my sister’s judo belt in competition as I feel it is a lucky belt and may lose if I don’t wear it.

Molly is supported by the Kent Trust for Youth Sport through a ‘Cornwallis Sporting Excellence for Individuals – Questor Award’ in association with Questor Insurance.