Kelly Edwards' Rio judo dream is over
Telford judo star Kelly Edwards has been forced to abandon her Olympic dream after suffering repeated concussions.
The 25-year-old, a silver medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has been struggling with the symptoms since July last year.
And she's been told she must take six months away from competition in order to fully recover. It ends any chance of qualifying for the Olympics, which take place in Rio this summer, leaving Edwards "devastated."
In a statement released by her management company, Edwards said: "When I was given the advice of the medical team I was devastated as it meant my Rio Olympic dream was over.
"However, I've read a number of articles about concussion and the long term effects since I was first diagnosed and I now understand that I do need this time to heal.
"I have to accept that as an athlete, I will get injuries and this is just another injury and while I would have loved to represent my country in Rio, I shall come back stronger and better after a six-month block of good training.
"I am excited about the long term future and will be focused on the 2017 World Championships in Budapest."
Edwards first suffered a concussion in last summer's Mongolian Grand Prix and she suffered further symptoms in August's Uzbekistan Grand Prix.
Despite attempting a return last month, another blow to the head while competing in Paris has led to her taking an extended break from the sport.
