Charlie Ayre Named June’s Athlete of the Month
July 22, 2026
Charlie Ayre has been voted British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA) Athletes’ Athlete of the Month for June following his outstanding silver medal performance at the Qingdao Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old claimed the first IJF World Tour medal of his career with a series of impressive displays in China, progressing all the way to the -66kg final. After defeating a number of high-quality opponents, Ayre eventually took silver after a hard-fought contest against reigning champion Hayato Kondo of Japan.
The result marks another significant milestone in Charlie’s rapid rise through the senior ranks and provides a major confidence boost ahead of this month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Speaking after receiving the award, Charlie said:
“It’s a big thing for me.”
“It allows me to push on a bit for Olympic qualification. It gives me confidence going into the rest of the cycle.”
“It’s helped my seeding for the Commonwealth Games, and my world ranking in general.”
“I’m quite excited [for Glasgow 2026]. It’s the first multi-sport event that I’ve competed at, and the whole buildup’s been great, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Athletes’ Athlete of the Month award is presented by the British Elite Athletes Association on behalf of its members—athletes funded through UK Sport’s World Class Programme. The monthly award recognises outstanding sporting achievements as well as contributions away from competition, with winners voted for by fellow elite athletes.
Charlie was shortlisted alongside Amelia Cass (para-cycling), Oliver Conway (triathlon) and Hope Gordon (para-canoeing), with his breakthrough World Tour success earning the backing of his fellow athletes.
Reflecting on the recognition, he added:
“It’s great to be recognised by other athletes and especially the people that I’m training day in, day out with.
I think there’s a really good feeling around the place at the minute, so it’s nice to be recognised by everyone else and hopefully we all keep pushing on and doing what we do best.”
Everyone at British Judo would like to congratulate Charlie on this well-deserved recognition and wish him the very best as he prepares to represent Team England at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
