STEPPING on to the podium as a Commonwealth Games medallist on home soil was the proudest moment of Stephanie Inglis’ career.

The memories of those 11 days in Glasgow two years ago that saw the Duloch judoka win silver are still as fresh as ever and now she wants to round off her sporting story by going for gold at the Games six years from now.

Inverness-born Stephanie, 28, is slowly regaining her fitness by getting back into the gym following the motorbike accident in Vietnam earlier this year that left her fighting for her life.

After overcoming survival odds of just one per cent to recover from the critical injuries she suffered, Stephanie believes she can do something that doctors have warned might not happen – return to competitive judo.

Pulling on the colours of Team Scotland in the 2022 Games, to be held in Durban, South Africa, is her aim but she doesn’t want to stop at just being there – she has her eyes on another medal. “The doctors have warned me that it might not happen or that I might not get back to the level that I was at but I owe it to myself to try,” she told Press Sport.

“I’m under no illusions as to how hard it will be and I’m sure there will be lots of crying but I’ve got time on my side. My dad has been taking me to the gym and I’m slowly getting my fitness back, although I’m really unfit just now! I’ve been able to get on the treadmill, cross-trainer and the bike and I’ve been going swimming as well. I had my first run on the treadmill the other day so there are small improvements all the time.

“I know I have to be one of the top females and in 2014 I was one of the top seven in Scotland. The atmosphere was something I can’t describe; it must be like a football match where a team scores a goal and all the fans go crazy. That’s what it was like for us. It was so good and I’ve never felt as proud being part of the judo team that broke the record for the most successful team at a Commonwealth Games.

“It keeps me positive and motivated to push on. 2022 would be my last competitive judo tournament and I plan to get a gold medal.”