Three set for IBSA European Championships

Three GB judoka will compete at the IBSA European Championships in Calgari, Italy from 2^nd – 4^th September.

Connah Anders (Coach: Fitzroy Davies; Club: Hardy Spicer 83) will compete in the J1 -73kg category on the opening day. Anders, who will be making his 3^rd European Championship appearance, is ranked 5^th in the J1 -73kg European rankings.

Day 2 will see Evan Molloy (Mark Burbridge; Devizes JC) and Kirsten Taylor (David Scobie; Tayside JC) in action. Molloy, who will be appearing at his second European Championships, has enjoyed a great 2022 picking up a silver medal at the IBSA Egyptian International Judo Championships before claiming bronze at the IBSA Antalya Grand Prix.

Molloy heads to Calgari as the number 2 seeded European fighter in the J2 -90kg category.

Taylor meanwhile, claimed silver at the IBSA Nur-Sultan Grand Prix in May when making her international debut, a result that sees her ranked 2^nd in the IBSA world rankings in the J2 +70kg following the restructure of the classification and weight categories following the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Jack Hodgson has had to withdraw due to injury whilst Chris Skelley misses the championships as he gets married this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the event, GB Judo Paralympic lead coach, Ian Johns said “We find ourselves in a unique position at the start of the Paris Paralympic Cycle following the introduction of a new format with J1 (fully blind) and J2 (visually impaired) fighters competing separately, in addition to the change of weight categories to accommodate this split in J1/J2.

“This event marks the start of the cycle and I have no doubt it will be an extremely strong event. The team have trained well and will go out and give it everything. It’s a shame we are without two regulars to European success in Chris Skelley and Jack Hodgson but I am confident the fighters representing GB here this week will continue their early season form and perform well.”

The Draw will take place at 18:00 (BST) on Thursday 1st September. Preliminary Round action will start at 9:00am on both Friday 2^nd and Saturday 3^rd with Final Block to start at 16:00.

You can watch all the action from IBSA European Championships LIVE on the British Judo Competition Hub page each day.