Growing up in the Illawarra, Abigail Paduch always dreamed of one day competing at an Olympics or Commonwealth Games. It didn't matter what sport it was, she was instead drawn to the idea of being involved in the glitz and glamour of the world's biggest stage.
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Netball seemed the most likely option, given she loved to spend time each week on the court. However, Paduch never expected her to debut to come in the judo arena.
But that's exactly what happened after the 22-year-old was on Wednesday named in Australia's judo squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, competing in the women's over 78kg category.
Paduch - who grew up in Oak Flats before moving to Albion Park - will be joined for the journey by Berry's Tinka Easton, who competes in the women's 52kg class.
It's been an impressive rise to the top for Paduch, who only took up judo in high school. A month later, she was added to the NSW junior squad and soon after won her first national age title.
Since, it's been a rollercoaster journey for the Illawarra talent, who has had to overcome a series of injuries on her way to tasting success. Highlights have included winning bronze at the 2018 Junior European Cup and claiming the Australian junior title the following year. Paduch then placed seventh at the World Junior Championships, despite dealing with a torn ligament, and then became the first Aussie to be crowned Asia-Oceania junior champion in 2020.
An ulnar collateral ligament tear then ruled Paduch out of contention to qualify for last year's Tokyo Olympics. She opted to take the long road and did the rehab process, which has makes her Commonwealth Games selection even sweeter.
"It's an honour and I think it solidifies a lot of the hard work I've done over the past few years. I had quite a tough time with injuries, but I always thought I was on the path to representing Australia," Paduch said.
"Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to go to the Commonwealth Games or Olympics for some kind of sport. This will be my first experience of either of those, so my aim to go there and do my best. I'm just going to focus on doing that for the moment, and hopefully that will speak for itself."
Twelve judo athletes have been picked to wear the green in gold in Birmingham, with Paduch and Easton both making their Games debuts.
Easton's journey in judo began about 15 years ago, when she was encouraged to join the Bushido Judo Club in Shoalhaven Heads.
Easton secured three straight Aussie under-21s titles between 2014 and 2016, before claiming the equivalent senior titles the following three years. Other highlights included claiming bronze at the 2019 Sarajevo European Cup and appearing at four world championships.
While she is yet to compete at the Olympics, Easton will make her Commonwealth Games dream come true in Birmingham. Judo Australia chief executive officer Emma Taylor said all selected squad members would compete with pride and passion.
"These athletes embody the values of our sport and they carry the Australian flag with pride," Taylor said.
"Their commitment to the sport, their clubs and coaches is recognised in this selection and we know they will make us proud."
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