Helen Novello Duston (born 1970) is a former international judoka from Wales who won a silver medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Biography

Duston finished on the podium at the 1987 British Judo Championships, the 1988 Commonwealth Championships in Coleraine and the 1988 Belgian Open.[1]

Duston was selected for the 1986 Welsh team[2][3] at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.[4] The judo competition was a demonstration sport for the Games and Duston competed in the 48 kg extra-lightweight category.

In January 1987, Duston, a member of the Sanshirokwai Judo Club in Llanelli, made her senior debut for Great Britain aged 16.[5]

Three years later Duston attended a second Commonwealth Games for the 1990 Welsh team[6] at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, and won the silver medal in the 48 kg extra-lightweight category.[7] She scored wins over Julie Reardon of Australia and Donna Hilton of New Zealand but lost to the gold medal match against England's Karen Briggs.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Helen Duston". Judo Inside. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  2. ^ "Judo squad for Edinburgh". South Wales Echo. 20 May 1986. p. 21. Retrieved 31 May 2026. – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Diane joins Wales List". South Wales Daily Post. 3 July 1986. p. 40. Retrieved 31 May 2026. – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Wales Edinburgh 1986". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived 2021-09-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  5. ^ "Helen's Senior Debut At 16". Llanelli Star. 30 January 1987. p. 14. Retrieved 31 May 2026. – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Judo aces plan to go for gold". Burry Port Star. 18 January 1990. p. 14. Retrieved 31 May 2026. – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Wales Auckland 1990". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived 2021-09-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  8. ^ "Commonwealth Games Medallits - Judo". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 31 May 2026.