42 British Veteran Judoka Ready for Sarajevo World Championships Veterans 2026
September 19, 2026
A squad of 42 British veteran judoka will represent Great Britain at the Sarajevo World Championships Veterans 2026, as they take on the world’s best in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The British team includes former world champions, current European medallists and a host of former World Championships medallists, alongside several athletes making their World Championships debut.
At -66kg, Craig Bowater (Samurai JC, M7) arrives in Sarajevo after claiming silver at the Warsaw Veteran European Cup earlier this year, while Giovanny Antalika (M4) will look to improve on his seventh-place finish at the 2025 World Championships. Joining them is Clive Biggs (Erdington JC, M9), who returns to international competition for the first time since 2019.
Dafydd Davies (Craig Ewers Academy, M1) is Great Britain’s sole representative at -73kg and will make his debut at the event.
The -81kg category features one of the largest British line-ups, including current European bronze medallist Adrian Besly (Havering JC, M8), 2024 World Championships bronze medallist Antony Sayers (M5), and experienced internationals John Thacker (Long Eaton JC, M8), Gavin Archibald (Kin Ryu JC, M6), Matthew Hucker (Bradley Stoke JC, M2) and Sean Hart (Welwyn Garden City, M6). Nicholas Down (M8), David Ferguson (Royal Navy Judo, M2) and Abibakr Abdelhalim (Ealing JC, M1) will all make their international veterans debuts.
Great Britain has another strong group at -90kg, led by former world champion and current European champion Shaun Mark Mitty (Westcliff Judo, M6). He is joined by Mark Todd (Patchway JC, M6), Faouzi Zerrouk (Budokwai, M8), James Waithe (Bradley Stoke JC, M8), who finished seventh at the 2025 World Championships, Lee Cahalane (Faversham JC, M6) and Ashley Parrette (Croydon JC, M7).
The -100kg division boasts a wealth of medal-winning experience. 2025 World Championships silver medallist Patrick Bryan (Heart of Oak, M9) headlines the group alongside 2025 bronze medallist Nigel Thompson (Norwich Premier JC, M7). They are joined by Mark Adams (Flo JC, M3), Mark Ferguson (Lancaster University JC, M4), David McGuire (Genki JC, M8), who won bronze in Warsaw earlier this year, Martin Barrie (Manchester JC, M7), Stephen Preece (M7) and Wayne Morris (Worcester JC, M6).
At +100kg, Fred Itiose (Bedford JC, M6) returns after winning bronze at the 2025 World Championships, alongside Joseph Williams (Welwyn Garden City, M7), Bogdan Lica (M5), Yousef Alfajare (Grimsby JC, M3) and Ceri Griffiths (Kaizen Judo, M4).
The women’s team begins at -57kg, where 2024 World Championships silver medallist Fiona Chan (JC Osaka, F5) is joined by Samantha Smithson (Budokwai JA, F5) and Amy Woodruff (Lancaster University JC, F3).
At -63kg, Great Britain has another medal-winning trio. Former world champion Joyce Malley (F7), who won world titles in 2017 and 2019, is joined by 2025 World Championships bronze medallist Samantha Chraniuk (High Wycombe Judo Centre, F4) and 2025 silver medallist Becky Dunning (Hardy Spicer 83, F2).
The -70kg category features Kylie Adams (Flo JC, F3) alongside 2025 World Championships bronze medallist Kay Andrews (Ringwood JC, F8).
Rounding off the British squad in the +78kg division are Charlotte Dugmore (Stewart JA, F2) and 2025 World Championships bronze medallist Danielle Batt (Masters GB, F2).
Good luck to the whole Great Britain team competing in Sarajevo!
