Accrington Stanley Women Chair Sami Smithson has completed a remarkable sporting comeback by being crowned World Champion at the World Judo Championships Veterans in Sarajevo.
Fourteen years after she last stepped onto the mat in competition, Sami produced an incredible performance in the Bosnia and Herzegovina capital to claim the 2026 F5 under-57kg world title.
It was a return few could have imagined when Sami retired from international judo in 2004. Although she continued to compete occasionally for the RAF until 2012, she had not taken part in any form of tournament since.
That made her achievement in Sarajevo all the more special, but there was a much deeper reason behind Sami’s decision to make her comeback.
She entered the World Championships in memory of her late father, who was also her coach and had competed at the championships himself.
When Sami discovered that this year’s World Veterans Championships would take place exactly two years to the day since her dad passed away, it felt like a sign.
She decided that, if her body allowed her to get back into competition shape, she would be in Sarajevo to do him proud. What followed was the comeback of dreams.
Sami’s opening contest was against Fiona Chan, a hugely respected name in veterans’ judo, and proved to be a real battle.
With the contest seemingly destined for golden score, Sami struck with just three seconds remaining to secure the victory and understandably felt a huge sense of relief after so many years away from competitive judo.
Her confidence grew from there. Against her Spanish opponent, Sami’s o-uchi once again proved decisive as she secured another victory and moved closer to the world title.
Then came the final contest against her Swedish opponent and Sami wasted no time. Just seconds into the fight, she attacked with a right-handed seoi-nage and finished the contest, completing an extraordinary return to the sport and securing her place on top of the world podium.
It was another remarkable chapter in a judo career which saw Sami represent the Great Britain team as an athlete between 1992 and 2004, winning a European silver medal and competing at prestigious events including the American and Canadian Opens.
But for Sami, this world title meant more than any result or medal.
“Standing on top of the podium and hearing the national anthem was something I had dreamed about from a very young age. It was a moment I had always imagined sharing with the best person I could ever have had in my corner.
“I only wish Dad could have been there today. I know how proud he would have been, and I know we would have shared every second of this moment together.
“There could not have been a more meaningful day to do it. This medal, this moment and this one were all for you, Dad.”
