FANS have been gathering in Builth Wells to support Natalie Powell in her quest for Olympic judo glory.
The judoka from Beulah easily won her first round fight in the judo hall in Rio De Janeiro to secure her place in the round of 16 and delight supporters who gathered at the Greyhound pub in Builth Wells.
Despite losing her second fight on Thursday Natalie remains in the hunt for a bronze medal.
Richard Jones, Natalie’s first coach at the Irfon Judo Club in Builth, organised the event with several of the club’s youngest members coming to cheer on the 25-year-old who won Commonwealth Gold for Wales in 2014.
"She is the first ever Welsh woman to represent Britain in judo in the Olympics and she started in Builth when she was eight and stayed with us until she went to university," beamed a proud Richard.
"She was a scrapper, she liked having a good scrap and she certainly had the potential to be Welsh or British number one and she has progressed and won the Commonwealth Games."It was always a dream to have somebody from the club to make the Olympics," said Richard who added Natalie's gold medal in Glasgow two years ago had swelled club members."The Commonwealth gold boosted interest in the sport. Natalie is very determined and sets high standards for her self and builds on any defeats and thrives under pressure."
Among those supporting Natalie was Irfon Judo Club member Bran Davies, 12, from the Elan Valley.
He said: "I've come to support somebody from our judo club and from this town. It's great for someone local to get this far. I think she’s brilliant and to get this far, to go to the Olympics, she must be really good."Bran said Natalie has also returned to help coach members at the club: "She is a realy good coach, she trains with us sometimes when she is free."