GB Judoka set for IJF World Masters

The Judo World Tour calendar draws to a close this week in the traditional manner with the IJF World Masters.

Somewhat fittingly, with Christmas less than 1 week away, the World Masters will be staged in Jerusalem.

GB Judo head to Jerusalem with 9 judoka of the 11 that qualified through being ranked in the top 36 in the world rankings – an all-time record for GB Judo. European Champion Gemma Howell (Wolverhampton JC; Bill Kelly) and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jemima Yeats-Brown (Ryecroft; Ian Oliver)both, unfortunately, miss the event through injury.

Six of the nine judoka in action will be making their World Masters debuts, whilst Natalie Powell (Irfon; Mark Earl) competes at her 7^th Masters event.

The event offers 200 world-ranking points just for qualifying, which will be invaluable for Paris Olympic qualification.

Tuesday – Preliminary Rounds 08:00am (GMT) | Final Block 15:00

Chelsie Giles (Coventry; Simon Moss) competes in the -52kg category. Giles who has had a fantastic 2022 winning European gold and World silver. Giles enters as 5^th seed and following an opening round bye, will face either Joana Diogo )POR) or Katelyn Jarrell (USA) in Round 2.

Perth Oceania Open champion, Lele Nairne (Bradley Stoke; Pete Douglas) and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Acelya Toprak (Metro JC/ Relentless Judo; Darren Hawney/ Fitzroy Davies) will both make their World Masters debuts as they compete in the -57kg category.

The pair enter ranked 20^th and 21^st respectively with Nairne drawn to face Jessica Lima (BRA), whilst Toprak will face 7^thseed Mimi Huh (KOR) in their opening round contests.

Wednesday – Preliminary Rounds 09:00am | Final Block 15:00

Lucy Renshall (SKK; Pete Blood) heads to Jerusalem as the world number one following an array of Grand Slam gold medals that she has collected in 2022. Renshall moved to top of the world rankings in June and has not relinquished the position since. Renshall will have an opening round bye before facing Renata Zachova (CZE) in Round 2.

Kelly Petersen-Pollard (Hardy Spicer; Fitzroy Davies) has had three Grand Slam 5^th place finishes this year with a bronze medal at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam. The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist will compete in the -70kg category and has been drawn against Gabriella Willems (BEL) in the opening round.

Commonwealth Games champion Lachlan Moorhead (Sheffield JC; Matt Moorhead) fights in the -81kg category. The Perth Oceania Open silver medallist will face Mihail Latisev (MDA) in the opening round.

Thursday – Preliminary Rounds 08:30am | Final Block 15:00

Both Natalie Powell (Irfon; Mark Earl) and Emma Reid (Redbridge JC; Steve Sandy) will compete in the -78kg category. Powell is a three-time medallist at this level, having previously won a silver and two bronze medals.

Commonwealth Games champion Reid, in comparison, is making her World Masters debut.

Powell has an opening-round contest against Alina Boehm (GER) whilst Reid faces an athlete ranked just 1 place ahead of her in the world rankings, Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA) in Round 1.

Jamal Petgrave (Westcroft JC; Andy Ede) is another Commonwealth Games champion that will be in action in Jerusalem, fighting in the -90kg category. Competing at his first World Masters, Perth Oceania Open silver medallist, Petgrave will face Rafael Macedo (BRA) in the opening round.

Preliminary Round action starts at 08:00am (GMT) on Tuesday, 09:00am on Wednesday and 08:30am on Thursday.

Final Block is scheduled to commence at 15:00 on each day.

You can watch all the action from the Jerusalem Masters LIVE at live.ijf.org each day.

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