Loretta Doyle

Loretta Doyle (also known by her married name Cusack, born 12 July 1963) Doyle competed at the inaugural World Judo Championships for women in New York 1980. She was one of seven judoka at the event, and won a bronze medal. She came third at the 1980 European Championships, and second at the 1981 and 1982 European Championships. Doyle won the under-52 kg event at the 1983 European Championships in Genoa, Italy. Doyle had to pay her own costs to compete at the 1984 World Championships; she had to borrow the money from her father. In the Championships, Doyle suffered a separated shoulder and had to be taken to hospital.

Doyle came second at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland where judo was a demonstration sport. That year, Doyle also came third at the 1986 European Championships in London.

Doyle won the lightweight event (under-56 kg) at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, beating Australian Suzanne Williams in the final. It was Scotland's first medal in Judo at the Commonwealth Games. She came second in the under 52 kg event at the 1991 European Championships, losing to Jessica Gal in the final. Doyle won the under-52 kg event at the 1992 European Championships in Paris, France.

After retiring, Doyle worked as a coach for the British Judo Association. In that role, Doyle coached Sally Conway. In 2019, she set up the Loretta Doyle Judo Foundation, to help fund young judo enthusiasts.

Personal life

Doyle was married to Billy Cusack, who won a bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in the men's lightweight judo event; the pair were married before Doyle's appearance at the 1986 Commonwealth Games.