Sponsored Athletes Ellie Gudgeon and Ben East Reflect on a Memorable Year

It has been a memorable year so far for two athletes supported by Sporting Agenda (Events & Hospitality), with karate athlete Ellie Gudgeon and javelin thrower Ben East both experiencing significant moments in their sporting careers.

For Ellie Gudgeon, a karate athlete competing in the Senior Female -50kg category, the year has brought both success and adversity. She began the year strongly with gold medal performances at national competitions before heading to the Scottish Grand Prix in April. After winning gold in her own weight category, Ellie entered the open weight category, where she suffered a serious injury that required surgery and resulted in a lengthy spell away from competition.

Ellie said:

“It’s been a bit of a mixed start to the year for me. I started off really well, picking up gold medals at national competitions before competing at the Scottish Grand Prix in April. I won gold in my own weight category and then decided to compete in the open weight category, where unfortunately I sustained a serious injury, including breaking my nose and requiring surgery. This kept me out of competition for quite a long period and unfortunately meant missing a number of competitions throughout the year.I’ve finally been able to get back to competing and have just returned from a recent international competition, where I won bronze in the Senior Female -50kg category. I’m really happy to be back competing and picking up where I left off, and I’m hoping for a much smoother and successful second half of the year!”

Meanwhile, javelin thrower Ben East reached an important milestone in his career at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Competing at his first major senior international event, Ben progressed through the qualifying round before producing a lifetime best. With the competition taking place in Glasgow, the occasion also gave Ben the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd.

Ben said:

“The Commonwealth games this year in Glasgow was a very special competition for me. Not only was this my first major senior international competition in my career but also, being in Glasgow, it was basically a home games. The crowd was incredible and to feel the support from so many British fans was amazing! At major games like this you have a qualifying round to get through to the final and throwing a near pb of 80.38m was enough to secure my place in a commonwealth final. Then on the evening of the final with a packed stadium I managed to produce a lifetime best of 81.12m and finished in 8th. Overall the games was an unforgettable experience and as my first major, likely one I will remember forever.”

Sporting Agenda (Events & Hospitality) is proud to support both Ellie and Ben as they continue to develop their sporting careers. From Ellie’s return to competition following injury to Ben’s first major senior international appearance and lifetime-best performance, both athletes have experienced important moments in their respective seasons.

We look forward to following their progress and supporting them as they continue to compete and pursue their ambitions.