Second of back-to-back Grand Prix’s this weekend in Samsun

A delegation of 12 British judoka will be present at the third Grand Prix of the year, each hoping to gain the ranking points on offer to add to their Rio 2016 Qualification efforts.

Silver medallists at last year’s Samsun Grand Prix, Sally Conway (-70kg) and Natalie Powell (-78kg), are returning to Turkey this year with hopes to repeat their successes. Joining Powell in the -78kg category, Gemma Gibbons will be looking to add a Grand Prix medal to her 3 strong European Open performances in February.

Alice Schlesinger (-63kg) will be in action having made a fantastic start to the year – failing to fall outside the top 2 in all 3 of her 2015 competitions. Winning silver medals in the Sofia and Prague European Opens and taking gold at the Dusseldorf Grand Prix she will be looking to continue her winning streak.

Gemma Howell (-63kg) is returning to competition in her first event of the year this weekend following a training camp in Japan, alongside Nekoda Davis (-57kg) and Megan Fletcher (-70kg).

In her first competition since winning the bronze medal at the Casablanca African Open, Kelly Edwards (-52kg) will be looking for another result. She will be joined by Jodie Myers (+78kg).

In the men’s competition, Lewis Keeble (-66kg) will be competing alongside Ashley McKenzie (-60kg) who will be travelling to Turkey looking to continue his form following his silver medal in last week’s Pan American Open in Argentina. Completing the men’s line up, Ben Fletcher (-100kg) is returning to competition following the Dusseldorf Grand Prix.

In Italy, the Junior GB delegation will be in Lignano competing in the Junior European Judo Cup.

All the action from the Samsun Grand Prix can be watched live on www.ippon.tv and the Junior European Judo Cup can be followed live on www.ippon.org

Good luck to all our athletes competing this weekend!

On our way to TUR Grand Prix today! Let’s bring back the medals @BritishJudo @uk_sport @TeamGB #rio

— Kate Howey (@khoweymbe) March 25, 2015