Sally Conway new head coach in Sweden replacing Robert Eriksson

The recently nominated Robert Eriksson who was a long-time appreciated head coach, stepped back from his position at the right time, at his highlight. Olympic and World Bronze medalist Sally Conway will take over the lead together with assistant coach Viktor Carlsson.

After 17 years, Eriksson will focus more on the organisation and management of Judo in Sweden. A comparison to Kosei Inoue in a big country but a small judo nation. The Swedish Judo Federation announced a great replacement. A mix of national and international experience and definitely in line with the trend although Robert Eriksson also started as a young coach himself.

An exciting and promising combination and a step in the right direction for the biggest Scandinavian Judo Federation and for Sally Conway who was expected to return in the World Tour some day soon and this team fits her perfectly. She understands what it takes to bring the talents of Swedish to perhaps the final stage. Taking more medals at World Championships. Robert Eriksson had a great year winning two unique World Championships medals in Budapest and it would be great if Conway can hold that level for a bit longer with this generation and bring new talent to the international podium which will be the biggest challenge.

Erikksson was honoured to be nominated at the IJF awards: “It means a lot for me and for our country to be nominated. We are also a small judo nation and we work hard and years to achieve something like this and we are really happy proud to do it and hopefully it gives us good inspiration for the coming years for Swedish judo.”

Sally Conway: “My time working at Judo Scotland has been Brilliant. I will always appreciate all the Opportunities you have given me and all that you have done for me. I couldn’t of asked for a smoother transition from finishing my competitive fighting career. So to all the Judo Scotland Athletes: I have loved my time working with you. Looking forward to seeing you around on the Judo circuit. Good luck to you all. I am really excited to start my new job of Head Coach of the Swedish National Team next year!”

It's a perfect match whereas Conway is a renowned groundworker and so are the Swedish players. We wonder if the Swedish talents will be the experts in ne-waza fights. 

Sally’s career (34)

Scottish judoka Sally Conway took an Olympic bronze medal in Rio 2016 for Great Britain. She captured bronze at the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo. Conway started her career with a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in 2006. Won more than 7 national titles. Grand Slam bronze in Paris in 2016 and gold in 2018. She won the Grand Prix in The Hague in 2018 and gold at the Grand Slam in Düsseldorf in 2019. Sally bagged European silver in 2018 and 28 World Cup medals.

Robert Erikkson (45)

Robert has been head coach of the Swedish national team for 17 years until 2021 when he steps back after winning two medals at the 2021 Worlds in Budapest. He was multiple Swedish champion and Nordic champion fighting both U90kg and U100kg in his career. As coach of the Swedish team many juniors reached senior world level.