National Team Championships Return This Weekend
July 03, 2026
The British Judo National Team Championships return this weekend, bringing together the very best regional and national teams from across Great Britain for one of the most exciting events on the domestic calendar.
Another fiercely contested weekend at the University of Wolverhampton awaits as teams battle for national honours across senior, junior, cadet and minor age groups. Last year’s event showcased the depth of talent across the country, with regional pride on the line in every contest.
This year’s entry list sets up a fascinating follow-up to last year’s Championships, where Scotland and London were the standout performers. Scotland dominated the male age groups, winning gold in the Minor & Pre-Cadet Boys, Cadet & Junior Boys and Senior Men, while also claiming the Senior Women title. London, meanwhile, continued their strong team-event pedigree, taking gold in the Cadet & Junior Girls and Senior Men, alongside further podium finishes across the day.
This year’s Championships will feature an impressive 50 teams representing 11 areas and home nations, with strong entries across every age category.
Scotland, London, Midlands, North West and NHC all arrive with full squads, each entering teams across all six categories and looking to challenge for the overall honours.
There will be no shortage of familiar rivalries this weekend, with many of last year’s finalists returning in search of revenge.
Senior Men
London arrive as defending champions after edging Scotland in last year’s final, and both sides return with full senior squads looking to renew one of the competition’s biggest rivalries. Midlands, North West and Northern Home Counties also field Senior Men’s teams, setting up another highly competitive battle for the title.
Senior Women
Scotland claimed the Senior Women’s crown in 2025, with a resounding 5-0 win over Northern Home Counties in the final, preventing the NHC from claiming a fifth title in a row. Both teams return this year, while London, Midlands, North West, South and the UK Armed Forces all enter strong squads hoping to break Scotland’s grip on the title.
Cadet & Junior Boys
One of last year’s closely-fought categories saw Scotland overcome Northern Home Counties to lift the title. Four consecutive wins from Harris McGrorty, James Rutherford, Rhys Clydesdale, and Vasiliy Menshykov in the final set them on to the way to the top of the podium. Both finalists are back, but with Midlands, North West, London and South also entering teams, the route to gold looks even tougher in 2026.
Cadet & Junior Girls
London successfully captured the Cadet & Junior Girls title twelve months ago after defeating Scotland in the final, going one step further than their silver medal triumph in 2024. A dominant 4-1 win over Scotland in the final handed them the deserved victory. With both teams returning at full strength—and Midlands, North West, Northern Home Counties, Wales and West also in the mix—another closely fought competition is expected.
Minors & Pre-Cadet Boys
Scotland’s youngsters proved too strong last year, overcoming London to take gold. They edged a close final 4–3 to secure gold. Key wins came from Keir O’Connor, Finlay Whitelaw, Jack Docherty and Toby Ofakansi all securing wins that electrified the Scottish crowd. Ofakansi (+60kg) closed out the victory with a composed performance, earning the decisive point and sealing the title for the Scots.Those two teams could once again be among the favourites, although Midlands, North West, South and Northern Home Counties all boast strong entries capable of mounting a serious challenge.
Minors & Pre-Cadet Girls
North West begin the weekend as defending champions after defeating Midlands in last year’s final. They gained revenge over the Midlands in a rematch from an earlier pool contest which they dropped 3-2 in the morning. The North West would regroup to win the Final 3-2 with Ruby Finney and Summer Lyons-Ashworth showing incredible resilience in helping them come from 2-1 behind to take the crown. Both teams return hoping to go one better, but Scotland, London, South and Northern Home Counties all have the depth to challenge for podium places in what promises to be one of the most open competitions of the weekend.
Can’t make it to the venue this weekend? Fear not, we will be bringing you all of the action with live streams from all five mats from 10:00am so you won’t miss a single contest. Head over to our Live Stream page on Saturday morning to tune in.
