The Road to Rio for ParalympicsGB starts here for judo, as the Great British Visually Impaired (VI) team took home a stunning set of medals at the VI European Open in German with a silver and four bronzes.

In his first senior VI event, 17-year-old Jack Hodgson from Lincolnshire seized his stunning silver medal after reaching the final by beating a USA judoka but then lost out on gold to a strong Brazilian.

“Gaining a silver medal in the German Open was fantastic,” he said.

“In the final I fought okay but I feel I should’ve done more against the Brazilian.

“Still he was a tough opponent and it is onwards and upwards.”

VI Junior Champion Chris Skelley from Hull also took a fantastic bronze at the VI European Open in Germany, beating a four time Paralymic gold medallist and current London 2012 bronze medallist De Silva also from Brazil by yuko.

He said: “Well done to the full team. What a great result for everyone and we claimed some amazing scalps. Now time to relax and enjoy the training camp.”

There were three more bronzes from Gavin Towers from Cumbria, Jono Drane from Norwich and Natalie Greenhaugh from Crawley.

Paralympic Coach Jean-Paul Bell said: “Some really good wins and truly great performances and a great team spirit. I am pleased with the day and the improvements of the athletes. Everyone gave 100 per cent!”

For more photos see https://www.facebook.com/britishjudo/photos/pcb.10152004797398269/10152004746398269/?type=1&theater

Words by Donna Richardson.