GB Judo team named for 2017 Junior European Championships

A 12-strong GB Judo team has been selected for the 2017 Junior European Judo Championships in Maribor, Slovenia from 15 – 17 September.

The selection sees an exciting blend of experienced Junior competitors and those making their Junior European Championship debut.

Three of the team in Chelsie Giles (Coventry Judo Club), Acelya Toprak (Metro Judo Club) and Jamal Petgrave (Westcroft Judo Club) are currently ranked inside the top ten in their respective weight categories at World level.

Lubjana Piovesana (Bishop Challoner Judo Club) has impressed on the senior IJF World Tour this year with bronze medals at the Antalya and Cancun Grand Prix. Neil MacDonald won silver at the 2016 Junior European Championships last year and has shown he can medal at senior world ranking events with bronze at the 2016 Glasgow European Open.

Olivia Piechota (Harris/JSC), James Hayes (Bradley Stoke Judo Club) and Wesley Greenidge (Enfield Judo Club) will be making their debuts at Junior European Championship level after some impressive performances on the IJF Junior World Tour this year including medals in Paks, Gdynia and Berlin.

Shelley Ludford (Osaka Judo Club) made her debut last year in the team event but has been selected for the individual competition for the first time.

Dan Powell and Eric Ham (Glossop Judo Club) have impressed this year with strong showings at Junior and Senior level and will be aiming to finish their Junior careers on a high in a strong -73kg category.

Garioch’s Stuart McWatt will make his long-awaited return from injury in the team event at -81kg.

GB Judo will also be entering into the team event on the last day of competition, as they did last year when the women’s team finished fifth.

The team are now in their seven week training block as they build-up to the Junior Europeans which will include a European Base Training Camp in Leipzig from 28 August to 1 September.

Nigel Donohue, British Judo Performance Director, said:

“We’re really excited for the Junior European Championships next month. Our Junior programme has been very successful in the last few years having medalled at the last four European Championships.

“A number of this team will also be transitioning into our Under-23 and Senior programmes next year so the Europeans and the World Championships in Croatia will be an important stepping stone for them.

“The younger athletes in this team have also shown they can perform on the Junior tour so we’re confident that if the players perform then the results will come.”

Competition starts at 1000 local time (0900 UK time) on the first two days of competition.

The team event starts at 1100 local time (1000 UK time) on the last day of competition.

Friday, September 15th Competition Day 1 – Individual
Women: -44 / -48 / -52 / -57 kg Men: -55 / -60 /-66 / -73 kg

Saturday, September 16th Competition Day 2 – Individual
Women: -63 / -70 / -78 / +78 kg Men: -81 / -90 / -100 / +100 kg

Sunday, September 17th Competition Day 3 – Teams
Women: Teams Men: Teams