Summer Shaw, a 22-year-old judoka from Camberley, Surrey, went straight back to her part-time job at McDonald's in Camberley less than a week after winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. She entered the competition ranked fourth and secured bronze in front of friends and family, but quickly resumed her usual routine, saying it is simply "life" for athletes in lesser-funded sports.
Return to work after medal win
Shaw, who has practised judo for 14 years and trains at the British Judo National Training Centre in Walsall, recently graduated from the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 in Biological Sciences (Genetics). Alongside her sporting and academic commitments, she works part-time at McDonald's in Camberley.
Speaking about her swift return to work, Shaw said she was "absolutely fine" with going back after her medal-winning performance. "That's just life for me," she remarked. Despite her achievement, her colleagues did not make a huge fuss. "I got some congratulations from my coworkers but nothing crazy which I don't mind," she explained. "I like that there's a place where I'm known for being me rather than just my sport."
Ambitions and funding challenges
Shaw expressed delight at winning bronze in front of her supporters, though she admitted slight disappointment at not taking gold. "I always knew I could do it," she said. "I went into the competition ranked fourth, so I knew it was in my reach. The crowd were super supportive. It was a home game for me, so I was over the moon to take the medal in front of all my friends and family, although I was the tiniest bit disappointed not to win the gold medal."
Looking ahead, the 22-year-old aims to compete at the senior World Championships and U23 European Championships later this year, with her ultimate goal being to represent Great Britain at the LA and Brisbane Olympic Games.
Shaw believes her experience highlights the financial reality for athletes outside Britain's biggest sports. "I think Judo is just a smaller sport in the UK and doesn't get the hype it deserves – I'm biased though," she said. "For many athletes, even ones like me that do receive funding from UK Sport, that's not enough to cover all of our expenses and to cover the cost of all training and competition. Sponsorships in the lesser-funded sports would go sooo far for individual athletes."
Widespread online reaction
The footage of Shaw's story was viewed over 1.2 million times and prompted a wave of comments on social media, with users reacting to the reality of balancing elite sport with everyday work.
One person commented: "Congratulations on all you've achieved. I'm sure good things will come to you for all the sacrifices and efforts you've made." Another wrote: "Flipping people one week, flipping burgers the next. As long as you stay flipping." A third user added: "Okay, but judo medalist, student and holding down a job at the same time. You should be so proud girl you must have crazy work ethic." Others remarked: "Damnnn, you really never know what goes on in people's lives" and "Wear the medal to work... Dare your manager to tell you to take it off."
