British Judoka Set for Action at Lima Grand Prix and Malaga Senior European Cup

British Judo has a busy weekend ahead, with 12 judoka heading to Peru for the Lima Grand Prix and another 26 competing in Spain at the Malaga Senior European Cup.

Lima Grand Prix

Charlie Ayre (Tees Valley) will be the only British representative in the -60kg category. Fresh from the Junior World Championships, also held in Lima just last weekend, Ayre now steps up for his first Grand Prix appearance, an exciting opportunity to test himself against world-class senior opposition.

In the -66kg division, Charlie Young (Ryecroft JC) will look to continue the fine form that earned him a bronze medal at the Prague European Open two weeks ago.

He’ll be joined by Michael Fryer (Rush Judo), who comes into the event on the back of strong results this season, including bronze at the La Nucia European Open and silver at the Dubrovnik Senior European Cup.

Both Young and Fryer will be aiming to make it two podium finishes in a row.

A talented pair will compete in the -73kg category. Irakli Goginashvili (Palavani JC), the current Junior European Champion and recent World bronze medallist, will make his senior debut after a fantastic performance at the Junior Worlds.

Joining him is Ben Levy (Budokwai), who finished seventh at that same event. Both will use the Grand Prix as a valuable stepping stone in their transition from junior to senior competition.

Eryk Neumann (Hardy Spicer 83) will fly the flag alone in the -81kg division, taking part in his first senior event of this scale.

In the -100kg category, Max Gregory (Drake JC) has enjoyed a strong run this year, collecting silver at the Tallinn European Open, bronze in Podgorica, and two fifth-place finishes in Dubrovnik and Warsaw. His most recent outing came at the Qingdao Grand Prix, where he finished seventh, and he’ll be keen to continue that momentum in Lima.

Rhys Thompson (Enfield JC) joins him in the same category, making his first competitive appearance since the World Championships in June after recovering from injury.

On the women’s side, Lola Hodson (Dragons Academy) will compete at -52kg, making her Grand Prix debut. She impressed at last weekend’s Junior World Championships, reaching the Round of 16, and now has the perfect opportunity to gain senior experience after a successful junior season that has included one gold, two silver and two bronze medals on the international circuit.

At -57kg, Acelya Toprak (Camberley JC) continues her return to competition in British colours, following her decision to switch her international allegiance back to Great Britain earlier this year. This will be her third event since returning.

Rachael Hawkes (Camberley JC) will fight at -70kg, stepping up in level after winning gold at the Port Louis African Open in September. This marks just her second international outing of the year, and she’ll be eager to make it count.

Rounding off the British team in Lima is Nicole Wood (Bishop’s Stortford JC), competing in the -78kg category. Like several of her teammates, this will be her first Grand Prix appearance, building on her Round of 16 finish at the Junior World Championships last weekend.

Malaga Senior European Cup

In the -60kg division, Ross Dempsey (Clyde Judo) and Nordine Adrif (Garioch JC) will get things underway for Great Britain.

The -66kg category features a trio of British competitors: Cameron Foster (Alness JC), Neil MacDonald (Glasgow JC), and James Gray (Destination Judo), each looking to make their mark in a strong international field.

A quartet will represent GB in the -73kg division — Adam Stevens (Goole JC), Ryan Turnbull (Destination Judo), and Camberley duo of Cameron Charles and Harry Le Mare. All four have shown solid form this season and will be eager to carry that momentum into Malaga.

At -81kg, Peter Davies (Ealing JC), Rory Tyrrell (Camberley JC), and Logan Campbell (Camberley JC) make up a strong trio ready to challenge for medals.

The -90kg category will be one of the busiest for the British team, with Samuel Petgrave (Westcroft JC), Scott Cusack, Cameron Reid-Thomas (Sportif JC), Cameron Hickey (Camberley JC), and Corey O’Neal Narcis (Ealing JC) all set to compete.

In the -100kg division, Niccolò Bargioni will fly the flag for Great Britain, while at +100kg, Joshua Whitehouse (Judo Swansea), James Weller-Henry (Budokwai), and Andrew McWatt (Garioch JC) will close out the men’s entries.

On the women’s side, Summer Shaw (Camberley JC) will compete in the -48kg category, with Madeleine Birri (Ealing JC) stepping onto the mat at -57kg. Katie Mills (Camberley JC) takes part at -63kg, while Holly Devall (Dragons Academy) will contest the -70kg category.

Rounding out the British team in Malaga is Sarah Adlington (Edinburgh Judo), who will compete in the +78kg division.

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