Alongside completing a one-year Master’s degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, mature student Scott Bailey is also training for the 2028 Paralympics.

Having been introduced to judo just six years ago after losing his sight, Scott has already competed in international competitions and has even won a place on the podium after competing against fighters with full vision.

Scott explains: “I used to compete in Muay Thai for around eight years, but couldn’t continue after I lost my sight. I got into judo by accessing the British blind sports website. It’s an extremely inclusive sport, and only a few adaptations are needed for visually impaired competitors to compete.”

After being selected to join the Team GB Paralympic potential squad a few years ago following a conversation with a member of the British Judo Association (who later turned out to be the Paralympic head coach), Scott was invited to train a few times a year in adaptive sessions. He said: “To get into the squad you have to show improvement, respect and a willingness to learn. From the commitment and discipline I showed, I made progress and was invited to compete with the VI Para potential squad and join their training camps.”

Scott then started to be selected to fight internationally. In October 2023 at the Challenge Pierre Menand – Tournoi de France Para Judo in Clermont-Ferrand, he won a Bronze medal, while in the Nihon Dutch Open, Shenshu International VI Open held at Venray in the Netherlands, Scott took home Silver, both in the VI rules senior men 73kg weight category.

One of Scott’s biggest achievements however was winning a Silver medal in October 2023 at the Irish Masters Open Championships in Dublin; a mainstream competition open to fighters with no sight loss. Scott said: “Competing against sighted players is pretty unnerving at the time but it feels great afterwards if I win.”

But asked for his greatest achievement, Scott explains that it was “coming back from a broken tibia and fibula in my leg which I sustained during training, and not just getting back onto the mat, but getting back to where I am now and competing internationally.”

Alongside his Master’s degree and Paralympic training, Scott also has a family with two daughters. He said: “Managing judo, university work and family life all comes down to discipline and commitment. I put time aside for each of these and I never miss out on any studies or training sessions. I put my family first though and it all seems to have fallen into place at the minute. It’s a way of life for me now.”

After his sporting career has slowed down, Scott plans to become either a psychotherapist or counsellor. Before that though, there really are no limits to his potential. In recognition of this, the University selected Scott to join its Talented Athletes Programme. Encouraging students to sustain their level of sport while studying, the programme offers a range of support to promising athletes, including free gym membership, access to sports facilities and coaches, and help to secure funding.

“Jayne Baker, my strength and conditioning coach, and Nicole Burdett at the Sports Centre have been amazing in helping me to reach my goals of getting to international competitions and making the podium. The Talented Athletes Programme is amazing and has really supported me to reach my potential by helping me to gain strength and fitness with the access I have to the amazing gym and great coaches.

“In my sporting career, I’m on the path to becoming a Los Angeles 2028 Judo Paralympian, but the journey to get there is going to be huge and will take me all over the globe, travelling, competing and living my best life.”