GOLD for Skelley in Baku

World number 2 and current European Champion, Christopher Skelley (-100kg)  recovered from a recent neck injury to claim gold in Baku and close the gap on World number 1 Zviad Gogotchuri (GEO).

Skelley (pictured above with physio John Prescott and coach Ian Johns) made light work of booking his place in the final, powering past Kanan Abdullakhanli (AZE) in the preliminary round and Oliver Upmann (GER) in the semi-final, both victories coming by an ippon score. In the Final, Skelley faced World Number 6 Antolii Shevchenko (RUS), but Skelley was too strong for his opponent again winning by ippon.

World number 8 Jack Hodgson (+100kg) was looking to break into the World’s top 5 after a recent solid training block. Hodgson eased past his 1^st round opponent Kazuki Sato (JPN) by an ippon score before dispatching of Yordani Fernandez-Sastre (CUB) in the 2^nd round, again by an ippon score. Hodgson was drawn against World number 1 Mohammadreza Kheirollahzadeh (IRI) in the semi-final and the experience of the Iranian proved too much for Hodgson as he was beaten by an ippon score. In the bronze medal fight Hodgson fought bravely against Kento Masaki (JPN) but was unfortunately thrown by an ippon, meaning Hodgson finished in 5^th position.

Natalie Greenhough (-70kg) was unfortunately defeated in her opening round match.