Zagreb Grand Prix Preview:

It is a huge weekend for British Judo with this being the final chance for the British Judo players to show form and accumulate valuable points before World Championship selection is finalised next week.

The IJF World Judo Tour heads to Croatia for the Zagreb Grand Prix for the penultimate competition before August’s World Championships in Tokyo.

Friday 26^th

Ashley McKenzie (-60kg) heads to Zagreb after a 5^th place finish at the Montreal Grand Prix earlier this month. Seeded top of Pool D, McKenzie has a bye in the opening round and will face Daniel Ben-David (ISR) in the second round.

Ryan Burt (-60kg) will face Luka Mkheidze (FRA) in the opening round. The victor will progress to face Hakberdi Jumayev (TKM).

Kimberley Renicks (-48kg) will face Aziza Chakir (MAR) in the opening round of her Pool D match.

2019 European Games bronze medallist Chelsie Giles (-52kg) has a bye in the opening round and will await the victor of the opening round match between Tinka Easton (AUS) and Sofia Asvesta (CYP).

2018 World Championship silver medallist Nekoda Smythe-Davis (-57kg) is seeded top of Pool C. She has a bye in the opening round and will face Marica Perisic (SRB) in the second round.

2018 European U23 Championship silver medallist Lele Nairne (-57kg) has a bye in the opening round and will face Loredana Ohai (ROU) in the second round.

Saturday 27^th

Eric Ham (-73kg) heads to Zagreb after a 7^th place finish at the Montreal Grand Prix earlier this month. Ham will face Jose Antonio Aranda-Olalla (ESP) in the opening round.

London 2012 Olympian, Daniel Williams (-73kg) will face Keisei Nakano (PHI) in the opening round.

Stuart McWatt (-81kg) has been drawn against Cedrik Kalonga (COD) in the opening round, with the victor set to progress to face Vedat Albayrak (TUR) in round two.

Lucy Renshall (-63kg) has a bye in the opening round and will face Kathrin Unterwuzacher (AUT) in the second round.

2019 European Games silver medallist Alice Schlesinger (-63kg) also has an opening round bye and will face Junxia Yang (CHN) in the second round.

Sally Conway (-70kg), seeded top of Pool C, will face Ayuk Otay Arrey-Sophina (CMR) in the opening round.

Gemma Howell (-70kg), also drawn in Pool C, will open her Zagreb campaign against Emilie Sook (DEN).

Sunday 28^th

Max Stewart (-90kg) will face Mohamed Hashim Hayari (JOR) with the victor to progress to face Aleksandar Kukolj (SRB) in the second round.

2019 European Games 5^th placed player, Frazer Chamberlain (-90kg), has a bye in the opening round and will await the victor of the opening round match between Marcus Numan (SWE) and Miroslav Blahusiak (SVK)

Christopher Sherrington (+100kg) will face Mircea Croitoru (ROU) in the opening round, with the winner progressing to face Sungmin Kim (KOR) in round two.

Natalie Powell (-78kg) is the top seeded player in Zagreb, she will face Unelle Snyman (RSA) in the opening round.

Shelley Ludford (-78kg), drawn in Pool D, has an opening round match against Erdener-Od Batbayar (MGL).

Sarah Adlington (+78kg) has a bye in the opening round and will face Mercedesz Szigetvari (HUN) in the second round.

Viewing Schedule

Friday 26^th Elimination Rounds

Friday 26^th Final Block

Saturday 27^th Elimination Rounds

Saturday 27^th Final Block

Sunday 29^th Elimination Rounds

Sunday 29^th Final Block

Coverage of the Elimination Rounds are set to start at 09.50 GMT with Final Block set to start at 16.00. However, please note timings may be subject to change.