By Rob Cole
It has to be one of the saddest, yet most inspirational sports stories of the year, the passing of former Team Wales Commonwealth Games judo player Jamie McDonald.
That someone so young and so talented should finally lose his fight against cancer at the young age of 26 is tragic. The way in which he stood up to the disease, refused to give in and made the most of the final two years of his life was typically courageous.
“I think the mentality of a judo battle, that’s the way I’m treating this. You go down, you get up, you keep fighting. You know that with every judo fight there’s going to be an end, a winner and a loser. I suppose you kind of have that with cancer as well, you might lose at the end but I’m going to get a few big throws in along the way.” Jamie McDonald, 2017
I would defy anyone who saw the Stand Up to Cancer video created to highlight Jamie’s struggle to claim they didn’t shed a tear. It brought home the shattering effect of having your world turned upside down in a single moment.
We all shared in the devastation that Jamie and his family felt, but there was never a thought of giving in to the brain tumour that the doctors found. For the record, Jamie won reached the last 16 at the 2014Commonwealth Games and was ranked No 1 in his weight for a while in Britain.
The world should have been at his feet, there should have been a shot at more medals in the future. Instead there is just a feeling of emptiness for his friends, family and team mates.
The Welsh golden girl from Glasgow, Natalie Powell, now the World No1 in here judo weight category, tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to hear that Jamie MacDonald has lost his battle with cancer. Truly one of the cleverest, kindest, funniest guys I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. His courage over the last few years has been incredible.”
Sport Wales added their condolences – “Deeply sad news. Our thoughts are with Jamie’s family and friends. RIP Jamie” – as did British Judo: “Everyone at British Judo would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jamie MacDonald’s family and friends after he passed away following a battle with cancer. RIP Jamie”
The Team Wales captain in Glasgow, multi-Paralympic gold medallist Aled Davies, was also rocked by the news.
He tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to hear that Jamie has passed away. An incredibly brave man that inspired a lot of people. Was lucky enough to have him apart of @TeamWales most successful ever team in Glasgow 2014. RIP.”
If you didn’t see the ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ video, then take a look here https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/920959154205978624