Born: 1970
Biography:
Nicola Kim Fairbrother MBE, born on May 14, 1970, is a retired judoka from the United Kingdom who has left an indelible mark on the sport. With her exceptional skills and determination, she became one of Britain’s most prominent judoka, competing at the highest level and achieving remarkable success.
Fairbrother’s journey in judo began to unfold in 1989 when she emerged as the champion of Great Britain, triumphing in the lightweight division at the prestigious British Judo Championships. This early accomplishment laid the foundation for her future achievements and set her on a path to greatness.
The following year, Fairbrother experienced her first taste of international success when she won a bronze medal at the 1990 European Judo Championships in Frankfurt. This momentous achievement solidified her standing as a rising star and marked the beginning of a remarkable career on the international stage.
In 1991, Fairbrother continued to shine, securing a bronze medal at the World Judo Championships in Barcelona. Her tenacity and skill were further reflected in her consecutive victories at the British Judo Championships in 1991 and 1992, showcasing her dominance within her weight category.
The pinnacle of Fairbrother’s career came in 1992 when she was selected to represent Great Britain at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Competing in the women’s lightweight division, she clinched the silver medal, narrowly missing out on the gold. In a gripping final, she was defeated by Spain’s Miriam Blasco, who would later become her spouse. This memorable moment not only solidified her status as an Olympic medalist but also demonstrated her ability to overcome adversity and excel at the highest level.
Continuing her quest for greatness, Fairbrother secured her first European title at the 1992 European Judo Championships in Paris. The following year, in 1993, she successfully defended her European crown and added to her accolades by clinching her second World title at the 1993 World Judo Championships in Hamilton.
Fairbrother’s determination and skill were further validated by her silver medal at the European Championships in 1994, followed by yet another gold medal at the same event in 1995. These triumphs solidified her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of judo.
In 1996, Fairbrother represented Great Britain for the second time at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Unfortunately, she faced the eventual gold medalist, Driulis González, in the quarter-finals of the women’s 56 kg category. Although her journey at the Olympics ended earlier than she had hoped, she had already secured her place in the annals of British judo history with her previous accomplishments.
Fairbrother continued her decorated career by winning her fourth and fifth British Championship titles in 1998 and 1999, respectively. These victories showcased her ongoing dedication to the sport and her ability to remain competitive at the highest level.
At the end of 1999, Fairbrother made the difficult decision to retire from competitive judo, ending an illustrious career that had spanned over a decade. Her retirement marked the end of an era and left a void in British judo that has yet to be filled.
Awards:
In 1994, Fairbrother was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her exceptional services to judo. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon her by HRH The Queen, further demonstrating her impact on the sport and her contribution to the judo community.
Personal Life:
Nicola Fairbrother is married to Miriam Blasco, the judoka who defeated her in the Olympic final in 1992. Their shared love for judo has not only brought them success on the mat but has also forged a strong bond off it. Additionally, Fairbrother has contributed to the world of judo through her authorship of several children’s judo books. From 2001 to 2018, she held the role of editor of the Koka Kids Judo magazine, further cementing her commitment to the sport and her desire to inspire future generations of judoka.