EUSA Insider:
Jodie Caller
Age: 22
Place of Birth: Frimley, United Kingdom
University: Wolverhampton University (GBR)
Sport: Judo Published 30 April 2019
How and why did you get involved in Judo?
I started judo when I was eight years old. My older brother did judo and when I was old enough I got straight on the mat and absolutely loved it, so I carried it on.
What do you study, and how do you balance your study, training and competition?
I am the University of Wolverhampton studying Sports Coaching Practice. The scholarship team at the university and my judo coaches are very helpful when it comes to balancing my study and my training as they help me to fit sessions around lectures and give me financial support to self-fund events. When I have to miss lectures due to training or competing, I make sure I speak to the lecturers to notify them and then catch up on any work that I have missed.
Tell us about your experiences at the European Universities Games 2018. Was it your first time at a EUSA event, and what did you enjoy the most?
My first EUSA event was the European University Games in 2016 in Croatia, where unfortunately I got injured in my second fight meaning I had to retire from the competition. I had torn my ACL in my left knee and had to have an operation and two years recovery to get back to full fitness. My next EUSA event was the European University Games in 2018 in Coimbra, Portugal. I was really looking forward to competing again at this event, but very nervous after getting the injury at this event previously! I had four fights on the day. I had a Spanish girl in my first fight, a French opponent in my second and third fights, and then a Spanish girl in the final. I was very pleased with my first two fights as they were good wins for me. My third fight, the semi-final, was a very long fight and went into golden score, but I managed to throw my opponent in golden score. The final was my favourite contest of the day, I won this fight with an ippon throw in less than 15 seconds! This made me so happy, as I have never won a final fight in such an important competition that quickly before. I also had my mum and dad there watching the competition which made the win extra special.
Why do you think taking part in university sport is important?
I think taking part in university sport is important as you get to meet new people and get to attend events like the British University Championships and the European University Games.
"I also had my mum and dad there watching the competition which made the win extra special."
In 2019 the European Universities Judo Championships will take place in Zagreb, Croatia. Do you hope to be there, and if so, how have your preparations been, and what do you hope to achieve?
Unfortunately, I will not be attending as I had already booked a holiday to Florida before the dates for this event were released. I am gutted to be missing this event, as it would have to been a great opportunity to try to retain my title and represent my university and country at this competition again.
What is your favourite university sport moment?
My favourite university sport moment has definitely got to be throwing in the final of the European University Games in 2018 in less than 15 seconds. This was an amazing feeling!
What is your message to European student-athletes like yourself?
Take every opportunity that you can, especially if it means getting to represent your university at a major competition like the European University Games.
EUSA would like to congratulate Jodie for her success last year and we wish her all the best for the future!