Louise Renicks: Judoka announces retirement through injury

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Media caption,

Louise Renicks on retirement in 2015

Retiring Commonwealth Games gold medallist Louise Renicks aims to help her sister Kimberley realise her dreams of competing at the Olympics.

Louise Renicks, who won the women's 52kg event at Glasgow 2014, says her bid to compete in Rio next year was hampered by recurring injuries.

And the 32-year-old hopes her decision will help sister Kimberley, 27, receive funding to compete in Rio.

"There were no guarantees I'd get through the competitions," she said.

Louise Renicks opted to retire after consulting specialists on "recurring injuries" and hopes her sister, who also won gold at Glasgow 2014 in the -48kg category, will make it to Rio.

"I have been hampered by injuries for the past few months and had to pull out of various competitions and, after consultation with specialists, there were no guarantees I'd get through the competitions I needed to make," she said.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Louise Renicks is retiring to "focus on supporting" younger sister Kimberley, pictured

"There is also the ongoing difficulties with funding as, with both Kimberley and I attending events, it's expensive getting to and from all the competitions where the points are on offer, so something had to give.

"So I'm now going to focus on supporting Kimberley and I have an agreement that I can assist her in coaching and other elements so hopefully I can help her make it to Rio."