37 British Judokas Head to Riga for European Veterans Championships 2025
May 21, 2025
The European Veterans Judo Championships 2025 kick off tomorrow in Riga, Latvia, running from May 22nd to 26th, with 37 British judokas set to compete.
In the lightest division, the -60kg category, Colin Francis (Royal Navy Judo) will be the sole British entry. A consistent medal contender, Francis secured silver at the European Veteran Championships in both 2023 and 2024, as well as a bronze at the 2024 World Championships and a silver at the 2023 Worlds. This year, he aims to top the podium.
In the -66kg divisions, Paul Hirst (Grimsby JC), a 2018 European bronze medallist, returns to the European stage alongside Kyle Perry (Shuzoku JC), who looks to improve on his 7th-place finish at last year’s event in Sarajevo.
A strong British presence is seen in the -73kg categories, with five judoka: Tibor Banyai (Honto Judo), recent gold medallist at the Warsaw Veteran European Open; Adrian Besly (Havering JC), aiming to better his 7th-place finish from 2023; and Jeevan Matharu (Leicester JA), Chris White (Stewart JA), and James Lewis (Medway Park JC).
In the -81kg classes, Barry Watson (Neyland JC), Stanislav Struzhanoff (Kodokwai JC), Neil Williams (Metro JC), and Daniel Cuadrado (High Wycombe JC) will compete.
The -90kg divisions feature six British judoka spread across various age categories: Barry Tickell (Miramar JC), Lee Cahalane (Faversham JC), 2024 World bronze medallist Antony Sayers (Leicester JA), 2023 World Champion Shaun Mark Mitty (Westcliff Judo), Gavin Archibald (Kin Ryu JC), and Craig Robbins (Leicester JA).
In the -100kg divisions, Stephen Preece returns after finishing 5th last year. He is joined by David McGuire (Genki JC), bronze medallist in 2023 and 4th at the 2024 World Championships, along with Frazer McBeath (Alness JC), Winston Ginsberg (Budokwai), and Ben Westcott (Ealing JC).
In the +100kg divisions, Yousef Alfajare (Grimsby JC) and Andrew Melbourne (High Wycombe JC) round out the men’s squad.
In the -57kg category, Charmaine Alford (No Club Stated) will represent GB as the sole entry. This marks her debut appearance at a European Championship.
The -63kg categories are busy, with Becky Dunning (Hardy Spicer 83), Natasha Glassford (Ealing JC), Samantha Chraniuk (High Wycombe JC), Ria Jones (Neyland JC), and Caroline Brayson (Pudsey JC) all entered in their respective age categories.
In the -70kg divisions, Kay Andrews (Matsumachi JC), Tasha Mathias (Sanshirokwai), and Laura Plumridge (High Wycombe JC) will take on Europe’s best.
The -78kg classes features two strong British contenders: Sian Carr (Pinewood JC) and Danielle Batt (Windsor JC).
Completing the squad for the 2025 Veterans European Championships is Laura Tapping (Camberley JC), who will compete in the +78kg category.
Good luck to everyone competing!
