Natural talker Lisa O’Sullivan has turned her talent into a career in sports broadcasting.
She’s traveled the globe, covering multiple sports for radio, TV, and online. Recently back from Harbin, China, after working on the Asian Winter Games 2025, she commentated the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for OBS.
Lisa introduced TV commentary of Goalball to a TV audience at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and was part of the commentary team for the opening and closing ceremonies. As an ENG reporter, she covered the hot ring side mixed-zone Olympic Equestrian competition at Rio2016 and was part of the BAFTA-winning crew for Sunset and Vine/Channel 4 at London 2012, reporting on sailing, rowing, and judo.
She worked with the highlights team covering multiple sports daily for the spectacular PanAmerican and Para PanAmerican Games in Santiago, watching and commentating on the superb opening ceremony for the Para PanAmerican Games.
For over 20 years, she’s been heard on talkSPORT, covering tennis since 2002, rugby union, athletics, multiple Olympics and Commonwealth Games, the Tour de France, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Lisa, a former host of Spin the Rally Pod for Dirtfish.com, has also been a netball commentator for Sky Sports and a commentator on World Rally Championship stages. She’s constantly expanding her commentary portfolio, covering electric sports like Floorball at the Women’s World Championships and SkiMo (Ski Mountaineering) and is proud to be a judge for the Sports Journalists Association in the UK.
Outside of sports, she indulges her creativity making dramatised podcasts, working on sound design for various projects and is a, very much, struggling watercolour artist.
Lisa O'Sullivan 
Hello Lisa
What was it like to commentate on Judo at the Olympics?
Are you a Judo fan?
What were your stand out moments?
Who were your favourite fighters to watch?
LikeLike
Hi Scott, it was incredible! I’m not sure it could have been much better, sitting beside the legend Neil Adams, with an enthusiastic and knowledgable crowd in a great venue. I am a big judo fan although I’ve never hit the mat.
Standout moments – during the team competition when the French came from behind to win the atmosphere was tangible, but more specifically when the Japanese fighters were being given their silver medals, the crowd stood up to cheer Saito Tatsuru for his bravery against Teddy Rinner, it was beautiful.
At this games I really liked watching Hidayet Heydarov take the gold and in the women’s Christa Deguchi. It was a magnificent competition.
Tell me how you enjoyed the games? What stood out for you?
Lisa
LikeLike
Thank you for replying Lisa
It sounds every bit as special as I thought it would, it was an excellent week of Judo, I thoroughly enjoyed watching on the television and would have loved to have been there.
The crowds looked amazing, really supportive and as you say very respectful of the Japanese, I thought it was classy to applaud Uta Abe of the mat when she lost, although I did think she overdid it she’s had things her own way for a very long time!
So in saying that I would have to go for the Uzbek fighter Keldiyorova, I was very impressed by her techniques and the way she wasn’t intimidated by Abe also the way she fought and beat Krasniqi in the final. I think Babulfath in the -48kg category is a fighter to watch in the future.
Hifumi Abe has been unbelievable for years, his techniques and speed sometimes defy belief, it was no surprise that he won gold but still good to watch!
What is it about Judo that interests you?
Would you ever consider stepping onto the mat to learn Judo and maybe fight one day?
LikeLike
I think I agree with everything you say there. The Abe’s are amazing and Uta’s shock was an extraordinary image, I was pleased she had the chance to leave Paris with a win under her belt with the bout in the team competition. Babulfath is definitely one to watch although perhaps she also needs to remember the basics of how to behave on the mat.
Judo is physical chess, I love the spirit of the sport and the respect demanded of all. I love a good throw and have a new found respect for ne-waze thanks to Neil’s analysis of what’s going on when the camera can’t quite get in there.
Now…. do I want to fight? Maybe I’m a bit too old but I’ll never rule anything out – ask me next year!
Are you a judoka? If so how long have you been practicing?
LikeLike
I’m sure Neil Adams could sort you out with some coaching haha!
It’s never too late to begin Judo as I’ve been told a few times. I’m only a beginner and should have stepped on the mat years ago but have always struggled with confidence and lately money but I’ve got there in the end and really want to fight competitively.
Like yourself I find well executed throws thrilling to watch but also really enjoy ne-waza, I don’t think you can beat a good hold.
Going back to Paris, I was very disappointed with the British team with nobody winning more than one fight and not looking like they were going to. I also don’t like the Lucy Renshall bullying story, if it’s true it’s really out of order and British Judo has a problem.
Do you watch Judo in your spare time and follow the sport Grand slams etc or just when you’re working?
LikeLike
Hello Lisa
I hope I didn’t offend you with anything I said, I apologise if I did.
Scott
LikeLike
absolutely not! Just got a bit busy away from the computer preparing for the Paralympics.
I have added judo to my watchlist for any spare time, the grand slam final blocks are great. But life is a bit tricky at times, for example I have been rostered onto commentate on Boccia for the Paralympics (another great strategy sport – significantly fewer athletes hitting the mat). Neil’s back for the adaptive/ para-judo which is brilliant to watch.
Channel 4 will be streaming the lot so I recommend to take a look.
LikeLike
That’s good, I don’t want to annoy you either.
I didn’t realise you were covering the Paralympics as well, I can only imagine how busy you are.
I will be watching especially para/adaptive Judo.
I hope you enjoy these games as much as the Olympics, have a good one!
LikeLike
I hope it’s ok to talk again in the future, I’d like to hear how you got into sports broadcasting, discuss Judo some more and update you on my Judo progress.
If not please let me know.
LikeLike
Hi Scott,
Apologies for late reply I went down with the lurgy after Paris and then didn’t get around to updating the website – something I am now getting around to. Hope all is well with you, X
LikeLike
Hello Lisa
I’m glad you’re feeling better and understand how busy you are.
I’ve just started doing Judo myself, it’s slow progress but exciting at the same time. Have you thought anymore about stepping onto the mat to learn Judo?
Did you see any of the British championships in December?
I think potentially we have some good young fighters coming through, although it’s always a step up to international competition.
Do you think you’ll be commentating on the Commonwealth games next year? x
LikeLike
Lisa, listening to you and Peter commentate on boccia in Paris was so much fun! I definitely fell in love with the sport and it was fantastic to hear you enjoy watching and learning from someone as knowledgeable as him made it that much better. You genuinely seemed to be enjoying yourself. Here’s to much more boccia in the spotlight!
Lynsey
LikeLike
Hi Lynsey, thank you for your kind comments back in October, I’ve only just seen your message as I try to actually get my website working properly. I loved, loved, LOVED working with Pete and loved the boccia it’s such a great sport. It was a real privilege to be beside him when his brother won the gold medal. What a day.
LikeLike