Judo and the journey: Tess Howard’s path to England’s Commonwealth hockey gold

Birmingham — “They love the J-word, so it’s the journey.” Tess Howard has had quite the journey. From rolling around on a judo mat as a kid, to multi-sport and a crack at Tokyo. Then the shattering ACL injury which kept her out for over a year. As squads departed for trips, there would Howard be in rehab at Bisham.

“Every single-leg jump, trying to get my knee back working, and the last few months have been an absolute whirlwind,” said Howard, who only returned to the squad in May, “and to stand here with a gold medal is a dream come true.