Receptionist tells of Commonwealth Games medal joy

Judo star Rachel Tytler won a place in Scotland's team for the Birmingham Games - and put in the performance of her life to win bronze.

As she sealed a place on the podium her colleagues from podiatrist clinic Sole Solution were cheering her on.

Now the 25-year-old sports scientist graduate, who has her heart set on going to the Olympics, has thanked everyone in the village for their support.

Overwhelmed Rachel said: "It has been very emotional coming home.

"It is really hard to put in to words what winning the medal means.

"I am totally buzzing.

"I brought it in to work, we are a close knit team in here and our regulars are amazing.

"They were watching me on television and came in to see me.

"I really can't quite believe what has happened - it is like a dream."

Rachel says the Games were an 'incredible experience' with crowds cheering her on.

Over the last couple of years Rachel has been working in Sole Solutions along with sister Elizabeth, a podiatrist, while also training in judo camps all over the world.

She competes in the under 78kg category and clinched her third place at the Games despote losing her first fight, bouncing back to win her next two.

Rachel told the Tele: "I only made the team because they increased Scotland's slots to nine.

"But once I was there I grabbed my chance and just went for it.

"It was brilliant being part of the team.

"It was a great atmosphere when all the big results came in for the likes of Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan.

"It was great to cheer them on, I managed to see some of the other competitions too and we went to support the wrestlers because they came along to cheer us on."

Now Rachel has her sights set on the Olympics and is off to a training camp in Valencia.

She added: "I am back training already.

"I travel a lot and working in Sole Solutions is perfect for me.

"I love working in Kilmacolm."

Rachel first tried judo at the age of seven and has risen through the ranks to become one of the best in the country.

She said: "I guess the coaches must have spotted something in me, because they just kept encouraging me.

"I would recommend judo to anyone as it is a sport with no barriers."