GB judoka set for IBSA World Games in Birmingham

The 2023 International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) World Games heads to Birmingham this week in what will be the largest blind sport games ever staged.

Over 1,250 blind and partially sighted athletes from over 70 countries will be in action across 10 sports.

The judo event doubles as a World Championships and carries valuable Paralympic qualification points for the 2024 Paralympic Games which start on 28^th August 2024.

Following a fantastic recent showing at the IBSA European Championships in Rotterdam, the GB Judo Visually Impaired team have a quick turnaround before the World Games with judo starting on Wednesday 23^rd August.

Paralympic Champion and recent IBSA European Championship silver medallist, Chris Skelley (Haltemprice JC) leads the team as he takes to the tatami in the J2 +90kg category.

Evan Molloy (Mark Burbridge; Devizes JC), who won his first major championship medal in Rotterdam, will again be in action in the J2 -90kg category and aiming to improve upon his 7th-place finish at last year’s World Championships.

Skelley will be joined in the J2 +90kg category by Jack Hodgson (Terry Alltoft; Grimsby Judo Club), who made his return to the tatami at the European Championships last week following a year out with a knee injury.

Kirsten Taylor (David Scobie; Tayside JC) will again be in action in the J2 +70kg category in her second World Championships. The Scottish judoka finished 7^th last year and recently placed 3^rd at the European Championships.

Completing the team is Connah Anders (Fitzroy Davies; Hardy Spicer 83) who placed 5^th at last week’s European Championships.

Anders will be the sole GB Judo competitor on the opening day, with the remainder of the team set to compete on day two.

Unfortunately, current World silver medalist and recent European silver medallist Daniel Powell has withdrawn due an injury sustained at the European Championships.

Tickets are still available for the event, being staged at Birmingham University, with tickets granting all-day access to your chosen sport, providing spectators with the chance to watch both Preliminary Rounds and Final Block each day.

Prices for ticketed events range between £5 for concessions, to £25 for adults. Official support workers or guides will be able to accompany a paid ticket holder for free.

Tickets can be purchased now via www.ibsagames2023.co.uk/tickets – which also provides more details about ticketing for each sport.

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