JUDO star Stephanie Inglis has been forced to admit defeat in her bid to return to competitive sport.

The inspirational 28-year-old announced last night that it was "with a heavy heart that I have to announce that, due to my accident, I am unable to return to the sport I love".

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Stephanie, who has been living in Duloch, was given just a one per cent chance of survival after receiving critical brain injuries when she was thrown off a motorcycle in Vietnam in May last year.

She had been in the country teaching English to schoolchildren and the brave judoka, who was a finalist in the Sporting Champion of the Year category for this year's Press Community Champions Awards, spent two weeks in a coma.

An online fundraising campaign launched by childhood friend Khalid Gehlan allowed her to be moved to Bangkok for specialist care, and then back to Scotland on June 13.

She astounded doctors with her progress and, in January, underwent a final operation to have a titanium plate inserted into her skull to protect her from further damage.

Stephanie had previously outlined her hopes of returning to the mat, and even targeted a place at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

But she has now had to admit defeat and, in a lengthy statement posted online, she said: "It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that, due to my accident, I am unable to return to the sport I love therefore need to call it a day on my sporting career in judo.

"It is not a way in which I would have liked it to end and wished it had been my decision, that would have made it more easy to come to terms with.

"But with my surgeon saying to risk another head injury could be life threatening and something I would not come back from, it would be ridiculous for me to consider returning to judo and essentially threaten my life.

"I am very lucky and thankful to come through what I have and lucky to have the rest of my life to look forward to, and to jeapordise that would be silly."

She continued: "So no I have not quit and I have not given up on judo and I am hurt people have said that to me. It's a case I can no longer do it and I can't explain the hurt and how it feels that I'll never be able to compete, win a medal or just get in a fight again.

"But to move forward in life and my recovery I have to accept that chapter of my life is over."

Stephanie, who won silver at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, has been helping dad Robert with coaching and is an ambassador for Dunfermline-based Fighting Chance Scotland, a charity that teaches judo to school pupils with behavioural and additional support.

She has previously spoken to the Press about the possibility of moving into coaching and continued: "When I fully come to terms with it I'll be in a better place to coach and pass my knowledge on to my club and aspiring players, however at this moment I find it difficult and hard being around something I have loved my whole life and not being able to join in.

"But I know in time I will be able to help others in their careers.

"As far as my sporting career goes did I reach the level I wanted to - no. Did I feel I had more to give and offer - yes.

"I never made it to World, Europeans or Olympic level, which is the highest stage for a judo player.

"Did I believe I could? Yes I did, and now realising that's no longer an option is hard.

"I did reach Commonwealth level and medal, which I am extremely proud of, but I know that level is not as high as other competitions in the judo circuit.

"But I am very thankful for those games. It will forever be in my mind and heart and the feelings I experienced then were indescribable; it's a memory I enjoy sharing with schools I visit for charities, including Sports for Champs and Winning Scotland.

"Although I didn't reach the highest level or get the results every athlete would like to get, I know I had a great career."

Stephanie went on to pay tribute to her family and friends,  and added: "Closing this chapter of my life is scary but hanging on to the hope of returning is having a negative effect on my mental health, and now it's important for me to address these issues and move on with the rest of my life.

"All the experiences and skills I have learned through judo has prepared me for my life after judo and I know I am capable of achieving anything that I want to in life.

"I am excited to see where my future will take me.

"Thank you to everyone who has believed and supported in me as both a person and a judo player. It's played a huge role in my career and something I am so thankful for.

"In judo words, it's a Matte from me but a Hajime to all you other players still chasing your dreams and goals; don't take this opportunity for granted and give it everything, no regrets!"