It was a super Saturday as British Judo celebrated two gold medals and three bronzes in key competitions at cadet and senior level. Paralympic silver medallist Sam Ingram scooped gold at the 2015 IBSA Judo World Cup in Eger Hungary, Eger while Alice Schlesinger took gold for Great Britain at the Dusseldorf Grand Prix.

And the medals just kept coming as World VI bronze medallist Jono Drane and Jack Hodgson followed up with bronze medals at the same competition in Hungary. Meanwhile, at the Cadet European Cup over in Follonica in Italy, there was also a bronze medal for cadet Molly Harvey, taking the medal tally to five.

The IBSA Judo World Cup is a Paralympic qualifier and Dusseldorf is an Olympic qualifier, so for all the athletes that medalled today each and every point taken will count towards Rio 2016. The full results and scoresheet can be seen here.

Schlesinger said: “I’m very happy with my performance today. It is my first gold medal as a Great Britain fighter and it is my second medal since joining the team. I enjoyed hearing the national anthem playing for me and I will go to the Czech Republic next week with more confidence to build upon the qualification for Rio.”

Lead women’s coach Kate Howey, MBE added: “Alice fought really well today. She was composed all day and finished with an amazing ippon in the final. This will improve Alice’s world ranking towards qualification for Rio.” 

Jono Drane said: “I’m obviously very pleased with the result and the additional Paralympic qualification points. Once again, Denny Roberts was a huge asset matside; keeping me organised and focused. It’s fantastic to be a part of a team that shares such enjoyment in one another’s success’ –  also a big shout out to John Prescott (team physio).”

Molly added: “Getting the bronze in Italy was a great result. Losing my first fight on a shido made me more determined to work my way through the repecharge winning my next three fights by ippon which earned me the bronze medal.”

British Judo would like to congratulate all of our athletes on their amazing successes.

Full results here:

IJF Grand Prix Duesseldorf 2015

IBSA VI Judo World Cup and Junior Games

Cadet European Cup, Italy 

Words by Donna Richardson

PHOTOS BY 

Emanuele Di Feliciantonio, Zahony and IBSA.