Judoka Jemima Yeats-Brown reflects on her IRU experience

Judoka Jemima Yeats-Brown first spent time at the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) back in 2012 when she was teenager dreaming of attending an Olympic Games. Now an Olympian and double Commonwealth medallist, the 29-year-old has just finished another stint at the Bisham Abbey facility.

The IRU is run by the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) Performance Rehabilitation team, who work in partnership with athletes and sports to understand their goals and co-create personalised rehabilitation plans to support recovery, enhance performance, and minimise future performance threat.

Jemima has been working on her return to sport with the UKSI Performance Rehabilitation Team and her support team at British Judo after a recent knee surgery and has reflected on the highs, lows and challenges of her sporting career so far.

How has the IRU supported you along your performance journey?

“I have been supported by the IRU since 2012, and I have learned so much about how to manage my body, injuries, and how to look after myself as an athlete. It’s incredibly inspiring to train alongside and meet other athletes. When I first attended the IRU in 2012, I thought it was so cool to be training with Olympians and Paralympians. Now, I am an Olympian myself, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my sports science and medical team and the IRU.”

What challenges have you faced during your career?

“I’ve faced multiple challenges, from navigating weight categories to finding a weight and style that suits me best. There’s been a long list of injuries – mostly involving my knees! Over the years, I’ve had three ACL reconstructions, five knee surgeries, and seven surgeries in total, which meant spending a lot of time in rehabilitation. On top of that, I suffered a personal loss when my sister passed away from brain cancer during the Paris Olympic qualification period. That was an incredibly tough time to get through.”

What has been your career highlight so far?

“My highlight has definitely been competing at the Paris Olympics. Missing out on the Tokyo Games due to another severe injury was heartbreaking, but that made walking out onto the mat for my first fight in Paris even more special. Knowing all the hard work and obstacles I’d overcome to get there made it an unforgettable experience.”

How has the UKSI Performance Rehabilitation and British Judo team supported you?

“The Performance Rehabilitation team at the IRU have supported me in countless ways. During lengthy rehab periods, it’s a great place to learn new ideas and use the world-class facilities and diagnostic tests. This ensures no stone is left unturned and helps me to know what to work on as my rehab and strength progress. The IRU was especially helpful during the intense Paris Olympic qualification period, giving me a space to step away from the judo environment and focus on recovering my body and mind. It was invaluable in helping me recharge and prepare to go again.”

Learn more about the UKSI Performance Rehabilitation team.

Learn more about British Judo.

Follow Jemima on Instagram: @jyb_95.