Today [tbc] British Judo formally announced plans to host an open international visually impaired judo competition in Great Britain in June 2016.

 

The event, which will take place on 4-5^th June in Walsall, will be the final opportunity for Paralympic judo athletes across the world to compete in an international competition before the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio this September.

 

Four judoka were added to ParalympicsGB’s team for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in February, with plans for them to compete at the Grand Prix event as part of their final preparations.

 

Two time Paralympic medallist, Sam Ingram (-90kg), said: “I have high hopes for the games this summer and this competition and camp will help with my preparation …… ”

 

Ingram will be joined in competition by fellow ParalympicsGB team-mates Jono Drane (-81kg), Chris Skelley (-100kg) and Jack Hodgson (+100kg).

 

The competition is the first of its kind to be hosted in Britain, but there are hopes for the competition to become a key date on the visually impaired judo calendar and a Paralympic qualification event in the next cycle.

 

The competition and training camp is supported by UK Sport, XXX from UK Sport said: “…..”

 

Interest is high in the competition and training camp, with nations across the world already expressing interest in attending.

 

The competition will be followed by a week-long training camp, maximising the opportunity to train with some of the world’s top visually impaired judoka. The camp will be held at British Judo’s Centre of Excellence which opened its doors in 2013 after the London 2012 games.

 

There are limited availability of seats available for spectators – tickets are free but all spectators are asked to register in advance at: www.britishjudo.org.uk/vigrandprix