Lachlan Moorhead smiling with commonwealth gold medalCategoriesAnnouncement Student News

CWG Gold Medallist Lachlan Moorhead aims for Paris selection

CWG Gold Medallist Lachlan Moorhead aims for Paris selection

PATHWAY TO PARIS – University of Birmingham Judo scholar, Lachlan Moorhead, focuses on maximising his points in hopes of securing a spot at the Paris Olympics.

Lachlan has been practising Judo since he was just five years old, following in his father’s footsteps. Originally from Penistone where he was coached by his father, he is currently in his final year studying Business Management at the University of Birmingham.

 

When joining the University, Lachlan was awarded an EDCAP scholarship, providing him access to tailored support from the Performance Centre and scholarships team. This has allowed him to balance his Judo commitments alongside his academics.

The highlight of Lachlan’s career so far took place at the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham, where he won gold in the 81kg class.

 

In the lead up to the Paris Olympics, Lachlan has committed to an intense competition schedule, travelling to events across the globe in efforts to maximise his points.

 

Next week he will head to the World Judo Championships hosted in Abu Dhabi, providing him with a final opportunity to hit the qualifying points for Paris in the summer.

Lachlan Moorhead at competition

We caught up with Lachlan in the midst of his busy competition schedule. Check out the interview here. 

 

His other achievements include securing bronze medals at the Kaunas European Junior cup and Junior Championships in 2019. Moving into 2021, Lachlan brought home a bronze medal from the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and became a British Champion at the British Judo Championships, where he won the half-middleweight division.

Lachlan Moorhead with his CWG gold medalCategoriesStudent News

Five Minutes With: Lachlan Moorhead

FIVE MINUTES WITH: LACHLAN MOORHEAD

Student, Judoka, and now Commonwealth Games gold medallist – we spoke to UoB Business student Lachlan Moorhead about his incredible experience at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Sport Scholar Lachlan fought off some tough competition to win University of Birmingham’s first ever Commonwealth gold medal for Team England.

Q: Looking back to the summer, has the medal win sunk in yet? 

 

A: I think my title has sunk in. It’s hard to say, it’s not like us judo fighters get time to ‘smell the roses’ – as soon as we were finished with the Commonwealth Games we were straight into qualification for the Paris Olympics. Better never stops!…


Q: Tell us about your expectations and hopes going into the Games. How had your training and warm-up competitions gone? Did you have any injuries to deal with? 

 

A: Going into the Commonwealth Games I was hoping to win. I wasn’t the favourite, but I drew confidence from my training, and how I’ve faired against the top athletes in the Commonwealth in training. My warm-up completions were very tough events in Europe and Asia, so it’s safe to say I was ready for a challenge. Regarding did I have any injuries… I’m a judo player, so I probably had hundreds! I think I fought with so much tape on my right hand it was completely immobilised!

Q: What are your memories of the judo competition? Were you nervous? Any tense moments during the competition? 

 

A: My memories of the competition are some of the most intense, but best memories I have. I was nervous throughout the whole build up, and the nerves on the day were (almost) unbearable. But this pressure was a privilege, and I knew I would perform the best under the pressure. The most stressful moment of the day was the first round, where I was 5 minutes into golden score (extra time) before emerging victorious. I was a fine margin from going home empty handed. 

Q: How have you balanced your University work with your training and sporting career?

 

A: I have managed to balance my university studies and sporting career with great difficulty and commitment. I work long days, training throughout the morning and afternoon and studying when I am home. Perusing both endeavours has given me a resilience I can’t imagine getting from anywhere else. That being said, without the support of UoB Sport Scholarships and the well-being department in the business school, I would not have been able to achieve what I have. Their interest, understanding, and flexibility is the main reason I am able to continue my studies whilst perusing my sporting dreams. For that I am very grateful. 

Q: What’s next for you?

 

A: What’s next for me is to work towards the Paris Olympics. I’ve beaten the fighter in the world top 10 and I’ve broken the top 25 myself. My goal is to win a medal at the Paris Olympics. I’ve trained full-time since I was 18, and I believe if I continue on this trajectory of commitment and sacrifice to the sport, then the sky is the limit.