GB Judoka head to Budapest for World Judo Masters

The IJF (International Judo Federation) World Tour has reached an exciting milestone as it makes its way to Budapest this week for the highly anticipated World Judo Masters. This event holds significant importance for judo fighters worldwide, as we are in the final 12-months of Paris Olympic qualification.

With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris just around the corner, the stakes are high, and athletes are eager to secure their spots in the prestigious international sporting event.

The Papp Laszlo Arena will play host to over 400 judoka from 59 countries and 5 continents. GB Judo have thirteen judoka that have qualified for this year’s World Judo Masters. Unfortunately, Sam Hall (Ryecroft; Fitzroy Davies), Gemma Howell (Wolverhampton JC; Bill Kelly) and Kelly Petersen-Pollard (Hardy Spicer; Fitzroy Davies) have withdrawn due to injury.

Friday 4th – Preliminary Rounds 08:00am (GMT) | Final Block 16:00

Chelsie Giles (Coventry; Simon Moss) heads to Budapest as defending silver medallist, following the 2022 World Judo Masters in Jerusalem.

Giles has been in fine form in 2023 having won gold medals at the Portugal Grand Prix and Tel Aviv Grand Slam whilst she has also claimed silver at the Antalya Grand Slam.

Giles enters as 2^nd seed and faces either Sita Kadamboeva (UZB) or Khorloodoi Bishrelt (UAE) in round two.

Three judoka have been invited to compete in the -57kg category. Lele Nairne (Bradley Stoke; Pete Douglas) and Acelya Toprak (Metro JC/ Relentless Judo; Darren Hawney/ Fitzroy Davies) both made their World Judo Masters debuts in Jerusalem last year, with Nairne registering a 7^th place finish.

Nekoda Davis (Ealing JC; Jo Crowley) returns to the World Judo Masters stage for the first time since 2018 in what will be her 5^th time at the event.

Davis has two 5^th and a 7^th place finish to her name from previous World Judo Masters events. Drawn in Pool D, Davis has an opening-round contest against Seija Ballhaus (GER).

Meanwhile, Nairne is drawn in Pool B against Shukurjon Aminova (UZB) whilst Toprak faces 3^rd seed and World Championship silver medallist Haruka Funakubo (JPN) in round one.

Saturday 5th – Preliminary Rounds 09:00am (GMT) | Final Block 16:00

Lucy Renshall (SKK; Pete Blood) heads to Budapest as the world number one in the -63kg category. Renshall finished 7^that the Jerusalem Masters in December and has gold and bronze medals from the Tbilisi Grand Slam and Tel Aviv Grand Slam respectively this year.

Following an opening-round bye, Renshall will face either Magdalena Krssakova (AUT) or 2019 Masters champion Nami Nabekura (JPN).

Jemima Yeats-Brown (Ryecroft; Ian Oliver) missed the 2022 World Judo Masters through injury but makes her Masters debut on the back of some fine form following a 5^th place finish at the World Championships in May.

Yeats-Brown will face Anka Pogacnik (SLO) in her opening-round contest. 

Lachlan Moorhead (Sheffield JC; Matt Moorhead) makes his second appearance at the World Judo Masters, as he fights in the -81kg category.

Moorhead has been drawn against Askerbii Gerbekov (BRN) in the opening round.

Sunday 6th – Preliminary Rounds 08:30am (GMT) | Final Block 16:00

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.

Powell has been drawn against 8^th seed Madeleine Malonga (FRA) whilst Reid will face 2023 Paris Grand Slam silver medallist Chloe Buttigieg (FRA).

Like Reid, Jamal Petgrave (Westcroft JC; Andy Eve) is making his second appearance at the World Judo Masters as he fights in the -90kg category.

Drawn in Pool C, Petgrave will face recent World Championship bronze medallist Marcus Nyman (SWE) in the opening round.

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

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