The Welsh Judo Association is proud to recognise the induction of Natalie Powell as inductee number 217 into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.
The honour was presented at last week’s Road to Glasgow: Team Wales with the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame event at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff, recognising a career that has helped define Welsh judo on the global stage.
 
Natalie’s journey is one of sustained excellence at the very highest level of international competition. Competing in the -78kg category, she established herself as a consistent presence among the world’s elite, earning success across the International Judo Federation World Tour with multiple medals at both Grand Slam and Grand Prix events, alongside podium finishes at World and European Championships.
 
Her breakthrough moment came at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she delivered a memorable performance to secure gold for Wales. That achievement remains one of the defining highlights in Welsh judo history and helped set the platform for the international success that followed.
 
Natalie went on to represent Team GB on the biggest stage, competing at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In 2017, she reached another historic milestone by becoming the first British female judoka to rise to world number one, further cementing her place among the most accomplished judoka Wales has ever produced.
 
Central to that rise was the influence of coach, Darren Warner. Their partnership, which began in 2014, proved transformative. Under Warner’s guidance, Natalie developed every aspect of her performance and built the confidence needed to compete — and succeed — against the very best in the world.
 
Following her retirement from competitive judo in 2024, Natalie transitioned into a new role as the Welsh Judo Association’s Commonwealth Games Performance Coach, where alongside Warner, she is leading the charge in preparing the eight athletes selected to represent Team Wales at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
 
Natalie’s induction into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute, not only to her achievements on the mat, but also to her continued contribution to the sport.
Everyone at the Welsh Judo Association is incredibly proud of Natalie for everything she has accomplished and for the impact she continues to have in shaping the future of judo in Wales.