Squads / Visually Impaired

Chris Skelley

Chris's Bio

Chris started judo as his parents wanted him to do extracurricular sporting activities. He started attending his local judo club which was recommended by rugby coach.

At the age of 17, Chris’ eyesight began to deteriorate which eventually caused him to stop his apprenticeship to become a mechanic at the age of 18. At 19, Chris was eventually diagnosed with oculartanious albinism. As well as his job, Chris also had to stop playing rugby, meaning judo was the only constant in his life during this period.

At the age of 19 Chris moved to Walsall to train full time at the British Judo National Training Centre. Since the move Chris has been crowned European Champion and won two World Championship bronze medals. In 2019, Chris became ranked world number 1 in the -100kg category. In 2021 Chris became Paralympic Champion at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Outside of judo Chris is an ambassador for Phoenix Enterprises and during lockdown he was delivering food parcels to vulnerable members of his community. This saw Chris win the UK Sport Social Impact award at the PLx award evening.

Chris is also a mentor for True Athlete Project.

  • dob 09/07/1993
  • Category +90kg
  • grade 1st Dan
  • club Haltemprice/East Yorkshire Judo Academy
  • hometown Swindon
  • areaN/A
  • coach Steve Shepherd
RESULTS
Global Championships
EventYearPosition
IBSA European Championships – Rotterdam2023Silver
IBSA World Championships – Baku20225th
Tokyo Paralympic Games2020Gold
IBSA European Championships – Genoa2019Bronze
IBSA World Championships – Lisbon2018Bronze
IBSA European Championships – Walsall2017Gold
Rio Paralympic Games20165th
IBSA European Championships – Lisbon2015Bronze
IBSA World Championships – Colorado20147th
IBSA European Championships – Eger20135th
Grand Slam/Grand Prix/World Cup
EventYearPosition
IBSA Egypt Grand Prix2023Bronze
IBSA Portugal Grand Prix2023Bronze
IBSA Sao Paulo Grand Prix2022Gold
IBSA Nur-Sultan Grand Prix2022Bronze
IBSA Grand Prix Warwick2021Bronze
IBSA Baku Grand Prix2021Silver
IBSA Tbilisi World Cup2020Silver
IBSA Tashkent Grand Prix2019Silver
IBSA Paralympic Qualifier2019Silver
IBSA Baku Grand Prix2019Gold
IBSA Atyrau World Cup2018Silver
IBSA Infraero De Judo Grand Prix2018Gold
IBSA Tashkent World Cup2017Silver
IBSA VI Grand Prix Birmingham2016Bronze
IBSA Soeul World Games2015Bronze
IBSA Eger World Cup20157th
IBSA Infraero De Judo Grand Prix2014Silver

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