37 Fighters to be supported by the World Class Performance Programme in 2020/21

British Judo has today confirmed the 37 Olympic and Paralympic fighters who are to be supported on the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) for 2020/2021.

Due to the challenging circumstances brought by the Covid-19 pandemic this year, and the impact this has had upon our fighters and their ability to compete, British Judo have retained all fighters from the 2019/2020 WCPP for the upcoming year. We are fully committed to continuing our support of our fighters as they target the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

The British Judo WCPP is funded by the National Lottery through UK Sport to support the delivery of success at the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions. WCPP selection is based upon a set criteria including a fighter’s realistic potential to win a medal at Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024 and expected professional behaviours of an elite fighter.

Four fighters will be supported through the Olympic and Paralympic Podium programmes. There will also be 23 Olympic and Paralympic fighters on the respective Podium Potential programmes. All Podium and Podium Potential fighters receive an Athlete Performance Award (APA) to support their Judo programme.

In addition to this, ten fighters are being offered support as Programme fighters which is funded directly by British Judo.

All fighters on the WCPP receive a Coach led Individual Fighter Plan (IFP) with agreed training and competition goals. They will also have access to BOA Medical insurance and are supported by a comprehensive Sports Science and Sports Medicine programme and services.

Fighters exiting off the WCPP will receive transitional APA support as well as identified programme support for up to four months, which is based on the number of years they have been a member of the British Judo World Class Performance Programme.

Nigel Donohue, British Judo Performance Director, said:

“The last year has been challenging for all, so we are delighted to be able to retain all our fighters who were on the World Class Performance Programme last year, for 2021.”

“The year started promisingly with two gold medals at the Tel Aviv Grand Prix (Natalie Powell and Sally Conway) and a bronze medal at the prestigious Paris Grand Slam (Gemma Howell).”

“It was also great to see our Podium Potential fighters make their mark on the European circuit, with last year’s European Junior Champion, Kelly Petersen-Pollard, making the step up to the senior ranks by taking gold at the Odiveas Women’s European Open. Acelya Toprak took two silver medals at the Odivelas and Warsaw European Opens, with Emma Reid taking silver and bronze in Bratislava and Odivelas respectively. Shelley Ludford and Jamal Petgrave both claimed bronze medals in Warsaw and Oberwart respectively.”

“Our Paralympic Programme continues to go from strength to strength. Chris Skelley has retained his World Number 1 ranking following gold and silver medals at the VI German Open and Tiblisi World Cup respectively. Jack Hodgson also claimed silver and Elliot Stewart bronze at the VI German Open and it was great to see Cameron Bradley dominate the Junior competition, winning gold.”

“I would like to thank the National Lottery and UK Sport for their continue support and investment in the World Class Performance Programme. Their support enables our fighters to be the best prepared in the goal for success on the world stage as we continue our focus towards for Tokyo 2020 and ahead to the Paris 2024 cycle.”

Fighters on British Judo WCPP 2020 – 2021

PODIUM

Olympic

Paralympic

PODIUM POTENTIAL

Olympic

Paralympic

Programme