It was a weekend that resulted in no medals for GB Judo but a weekend that demonstrated the depth and potential of an exciting squad.

Just six judoka took to the mat over the weekend in European Open competition in Prague, Czech Republic for the women and Katowice, Poland for the men. The likes of Gregg Varey (-66kg), Eric Ham (-73kg), and James Hayes (-81kg) represented the mens’ squad while Kelly Staddon (-48kg), Emma Reid (-78kg) and Michelle Boyle (+78kg) led the way for the women.

It appeared to be a weekend of “sevens” with three seventh placed finishes across the six competitors.

Kelly Staddon kicked off the action on Saturday in Prague. The 22 year old from Ford Judo Club brushed aside Aziza Chakir (MAR) in the opening as she scored an early wazari followed by an ippon to end the contest. Second round opponent Kim Akker from the Netherlands caused little trouble. The Quarter Finals proved a step too far for Staddon however, as she came up against eventual Gold medallist, Ukrainian prodigy Daria Bilodid. This cause Staddon to slip into the repechage but she  could not find a way past Ewa Konieczny (POL) and finished in seventh place.

Gregg Varey (-66kg) was in determined mood at the weekend as he sought a first “placed” finish in a continental competition since the European Cup in London back in 2015.

Following a bye in the first round, Varey came up against Kazakhstan judoka Aibek Imashev, who came fifth at the 2014 World Championships. Varey however, dispatched his opponent via ippon. The third round featured a contest against Dzmitry Minkou (BLR). Minkou found himself a wazari up in the early stages of the contest but Varey fought his way into the contest and regularly had the upper hand. The pressure built as the contest wore on and Varey managed to secure an ippon and his way into the quarter finals where he was up against Ukrainian Gevorg Khachatrian. The World No.51 is a recent Grand Prix and European Open medallist. Khachatrian was able to waza-ari three times throughout the four minutes and this saw Varey fall into the repechage. 21 year old Patryk Wawrzyczek was the Team Bath judoka’s opponent but Varey could not find the vital score to progress into the bronze medal fight and fell to three waza-ari.

Following a 7th place finish in the -78kg category in Glasgow in October 2016, Emma Reid was looking to stake a claim for a place in future Continental Opens as she took to the mat for the first time since the European Cup in Malaga back in October. Christelle Garry (FRA) was first up for Reid and for the four minutes, the contest could have gone either way with both women looking for the winning throw with the contest decided by an early wazari by Reid. In the quarter final, eventual silver medalist Beata Pacut (POL) used her experience to oust Reid via an ippon. The World No.58 getting the better of Reid for the first time. Reid then came up against Cagri Guzelsoy (TUR) in the repechage but could not find a way to secure the victory. A third seventh placed finish of the weekend for GB Judo.

Eric Ham continued his development with a 3rd round exit in a competitive -73kg competition while James Hayes (-81kg) was knocked out in the 2nd round with Michelle Boyle (+78kg) losing in the first round.