British Judoka Set for Action at Qingdao Grand Prix, Prague European Open, and Maintal Veterans Tournament

This weekend promises high-level judo action for British seniors and veterans, with GB fighters competing across three major events: the Qingdao Grand Prix, the Prague European Open, and the Maintal European Veterans Tournament.

Qingdao Grand Prix

World No. 4 Emma Reid (Redbridge JC) makes her long-awaited return to the tatami in China, competing in the -78kg category for the first time since June. Reid has been in outstanding form throughout 2025, collecting three medals in five outings and narrowly missing another podium with a fifth-place finish. She’ll be eager to maintain her momentum on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

In the -70kg division, Kelly Petersen-Pollard (Hardy Spicer 83) currently sits 11th in the world rankings. One of Britain’s most consistent and dangerous judoka this year, Petersen-Pollard has already secured multiple podium finishes at top-level competitions and will once again be a serious contender in Qingdao.

Oliver Short enters his second Grand Prix of the season in the -73kg field. While still searching for his first podium of 2025, Short will use this opportunity to gain invaluable experience against elite opponents and build confidence ahead of future competitions.

Rounding out the British squad, Max Gregory (Drake JC) heads into his eighth international event of the year, competing in the -100kg category. With two more Grand Prix appearances already on his calendar, Gregory is aiming to add a third medal to his 2025 tally after claiming silver at the Tallinn European Open and bronze at the Podgorica Senior European Cup.

Prague European Open

In the -66kg category, Charlie Young (Ryecroft JC), Michael Fryer (Rush Judo), and Finlay Allan (Camberley JC) will all compete.

Ethan Nairne (Bradley Stoke JC) will be the sole GB representative in the -73kg division.

At -81kg, Lachlan Moorhead (Cannock JC) will look to build on his 5th-place finish from last week. He will be joined in this category by Rory Tyrrell (Camberley JC).

Jamal Petgrave (Westcroft JC) will be the only British judoka competing in the -90kg division.

In the -100kg category, Ollie Barratt (Dragons Academy) will take to the tatami.

At -52kg, Tatum Keen (Bradley Stoke JC) will get back to action, continuing her breakout year.

The -57kg category marks the return of Chelsie Giles (Coventry JC), competing for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as she makes the step up in weight category. She will be joined in this division by Lanina Solley (Camberley JC).

Finally, in the -70kg category, Jemima Yeats-Brown (Stewart JA) will contest her second competition of the year, following her successful comeback at the Tallinn European Open, where she struck gold in her return from Paris.

Finally, Shelley Ludford (JC Osaka) will compete at the -78kg division.

Maintal European Veterans Tournament

In the -73kg category, Adam Green (M2, Red Phoenix JK), Adam Stevens (M1, Goole JC), and Neil Boote (M3, Warrington Samurai JC) will represent Great Britain.

Competing in the -81kg division, Peter Hawes (Swindon JC) will take to the tatami in the M4 category.

At -90kg, Mendes Azevedo (M4, Stratford JK) and Ashley Parrette (M6, Croydon JC) will both look to make their mark in their respective divisions.

In the -100kg category, Nigel Thompson (Norwich Premier JC) will challenge for honours in the M7 division.

Finally, in the +100kg class, Joseph Williams (Croydon JC) will represent GB in the M7 category.

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