GB VI Squad Set for 2025 IBSA European Championships in Tbilisi

This week, five members of GB’s VI Squad will take on Europe’s best at the 2025 IBSA VI European Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September.

The opening day will see World Championship bronze medallists Evan Molloy and Miles Soloman take to the mat.

Evan Molloy (Devizes JC) enters the competition in excellent form, fresh from a bronze medal just three weeks ago at the Egypt Grand Prix in the -81kg J2 category.

That result followed his maiden World Championships medal, also a bronze, earlier this year.

The Devizes judoka will be aiming to continue his fine run of performances with another strong showing in Georgia.

In the -70kg J2 category, Miles Soloman (Oxford University JC) will be looking to build on his breakthrough year, which saw him claim bronze at his first-ever World Championships earlier in the year.

The Oxford judoka is one of the brightest talents to emerge from our Paralympic Potential Programme, and we can’t wait to find out how he gets on at this event.

The second day of the European Championships will feature Dan Powell, Jack Hodgson and Kirsten Taylor.

World Champion Dan Powell (Phoenix JC) will be aiming to extend his remarkable run of podium finishes to 17 consecutive events, having most recently secured silver at the Grand Prix in Giza, Egypt.

Competing in the -95kg J1 category, Powell will be targeting another major title in 2025 to add to his growing list of accolades.

In the +95kg J1 division, Jack Hodgson (Grimsby JC) will make his long-awaited return to competition. His last outing came at the World Championships, where he narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fifth.

With his wealth of experience at the top level, Hodgson will be eager to translate that into a podium finish in Tbilisi.

Completing the squad is Kirsten Taylor (Tayside JC), who recently took bronze at the Egypt Grand Prix.

She will be looking to carry that momentum into the +70kg J2 category this week.

Taylor has had a consistent year, regularly placing among the leading competitors in her field, including a strong fifth-place finish at the World Championships.

British Judo’s Paralympic Head Coach, Ian Johns said, “I’m really looking forward to the European Championships this year. The team are in a great place and has shown real form in the events since the Paris Games.

“As always, we are looking for the best performances from the fighters. If they perform to their capabilities, I have no doubt there will be medals.

“Georgia always puts on a fantastic show for visually impaired fighters, and the GB athletes tend to step up at these quality events. The team have trained well and will give everything, as they always do.

“Massive kudos to Lisa Rivers, who will also be refereeing at this event, following on from her appearance at the last Grand Prix in Egypt.

“Currently, GB is represented across all departments (Jo Crowley – Media, Lorretta Cusack-Doyle – Event Management, and Neil Adams/Sheldon Franco Brooks – Commentary). It’s so pleasing to have the wider team with us when we step out onto the tatami.”

We wish the entire GB VI Squad the very best of luck in Tbilisi.

Watch out for further news from British Judo by checking out our latest news section. You can also catch up via our official social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The post GB VI Squad Set for 2025 IBSA European Championships in Tbilisi appeared first on British Judo Association.