43 British Judokas Set for European Cup Action in Kaunas and Madeira
In addition to the Veterans European Championships, British judokas will compete in just two other international events this weekend. A strong 41-person squad is set to represent the nation at the Kaunas Junior European Cup, while two athletes from Ealing Judo Club will take to the mats at the São João da Madeira Cadet European Cup.
The action kicks off in Kaunas with Great Britain’s junior squad, starting in the -60kg category. Leading the charge is Charlie Ayre (Tees Valley Judo), the most experienced GB judoka in the division, joined by Laurence Hill (Dragons Academy), Evan Price (Craig Ewers Academy), Will Jones (Kazoku Academy), and George Franks (Bishops Stortford).
In the -66kg category, Joshua Chrisp (Blyth Juno Michi) stands as the sole British representative. Having already competed in two Junior European Cups this year, Chrisp is aiming to secure his first podium finish of 2025.
The -73kg division promises to be a competitive one for GB. Ben Levy (Budokwai), who has had an impressive year—including a debut at the Senior European Championships—heads a six-strong British contingent alongside Ben Moore (Bradley Stoke JC), Ross McWatt (Garioch JC), Eden Heffernan (Pro Judo), Jack Macleod (Garioch JC), and Lenny Tancock (Bishops Stortford).
Britain is also strongly represented in the -81kg category, with Eryk Neumann (Hardy Spicer 83), Corey O’Neal Narcis (Ealing JC), Antony Moylett (Grimsby JC), Jamie Death (Bredakwai JA), Isaac Hope (Bredakwai JA), and Arad Ghafoorirad (Pro Judo) all set to compete.
In the -90kg division, Cameron Hickey (Core Judo) and Joseph Kirk (Middlesbrough) will be looking to make an impact, while the -100kg category will see Jaden Calder (JC Esprit), Kevin Gordon (Hibari-Kan JC), and Jay Parkin (Micklefield JC) in action. Rounding off the men’s side, James Weller-Henry (Budokwai) will compete in the +100kg category.
On the women’s side, Eva Ewing (Sportif) will represent GB as the sole entry in the -48kg division.
A packed -52kg field features Lola Hodson (Dragons Academy), Maddy Kissenisky (East Yorkshire JA), Kate Chisholm (Judo Sensei London), Harriet Jones (Pro Judo), Amie McMurray (Bradley Stoke JC), and Ace Edwards (Sakura JC). In the -57kg division, Chloe Link (Relentless Judo), Maddy Birri (Ealing JC), and Rhea Pinder (Relentless Judo) will carry British hopes.
Millie Bayliss (Bradley Stoke JC), Sophie Wood (Sportif), and Olivia Delahunty (Newbury JC) will compete in the -63kg category, while Paige Keane (Dragons Academy) is GB’s lone competitor in the -70kg class.
To round out the women’s squad, Anya Hassan (Blyth Juno Michi) and Nicole Wood (Bishops Stortford) will fight in the -78kg division, with Abigail Guest (Samurai JC) representing Britain in the +78kg category.
Good luck to all of our juniors competing in Kaunas!
Turning our attention to São João da Madeira, two British cadets from Ealing Judo Club will represent the nation on the international stage.
Nikita Gilchenko will compete in the -55kg category, while Robyn Davies will take on the -63kg field.
Good luck to you both!
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