British VI Squad Set for 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships
August 13, 2026
The 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships get underway tomorrow in Heidelberg, Germany, with Great Britain’s eight-strong squad of proven medallists and exciting up-and-coming talents set to take to the tatami.
Jimmy Alderson (Priory JC) will make his European Championships debut in Heidelberg, competing in the -70kg J2 category as he prepares to make his mark on the continental stage. He will first face Huseyn Ismayilzada (AZE) in the Round of 16.
Evan Molloy (Devizes JC) returns to the European Championships after claiming his first European medal with bronze in 2025. He arrives in Heidelberg in strong form, having also taken bronze at the IBSA São Paulo Grand Prix last month, and will be looking to carry that momentum into the -81kg J2 category. He has a bye into the quarter-finals, where he will face either Bela Bel Heinze (GER) or Bachuki Shelia (GEO).
Dan Powell (Ryecroft JC) returns to the European Championships as the reigning -95kg J1 champion after claiming his first European title in 2025. He will be looking to defend his crown in Germany against a strong field, having arrived in good form after taking silver at the IBSA São Paulo Grand Prix last month. He has a bye into the quarter-finals, where he will face either Giorgi Beridze (GEO) or Nicolai Dermenji (MDA).
Jack Hodgson (Grimsby JC) returns to action following an injury that has kept him on the sidelines. The +95kg J2 judoka will be looking to build on his bronze-medal performance at the 2025 European Championships, and will first face Alban De Larminat (FRA).
Dan English (Tees Valley JC) heads to Heidelberg on the back of a bronze medal at last month’s IBSA São Paulo Grand Prix. The +95kg J1 judoka has made a strong start to the LA 2028 qualification period and will be looking to carry that form into the European Championships. He has a bye into the quarter-finals, where he will face R. Kipshidze (GEO).
Jolene Donaghue (Ray Stevens Academy) makes her debut at the event in the -52kg J1 category. An exciting prospect from the British Judo Para Potential Programme, Donaghue has impressed at recent competitions, including the 2025 European Youth Games in Turkey, and will now have the opportunity to compete against Europe’s best. She will open her day against Havva Elmali (TUR) in the quarter-finals.
Evie Gormley (Stewart JA) makes her European Championships debut in the -60kg J1 category at this event. Another exciting prospect for the future, Gormley has made an impressive start to her career and will now get her first opportunity to compete at this level, taking on Natalia Ovchinnikova (NPA) in her opening fight.
Kirsten Taylor (Tayside JC) also arrives in Germany in strong form after claiming bronze at the IBSA São Paulo Grand Prix last month. Competing in the +70kg J2 category, Taylor will be looking to build on that performance and record her best European Championships result to date. She has a bye into the semi-finals, where she will face either Ina Kaldani (GEO) or Avelet Ron (ISR).
Speaking ahead of the competition, British Judo’s Head Paralympic Coach Ian Johns said: “The team are looking great. We held a training camp up in Kendal a couple of weeks ago and they were firing on all cylinders.
“I am really confident that the team will perform in what is a tough event, but we are more than equipped to come away with a number of medals.
“The team have fought brilliantly over these last few events, so I know we are in form. We just have to deliver our best performances now.”
Good luck to the whole team in Heidelberg!
