British Judo Events Team to end Year on a High

It has been a successful year for the British Judo Events Team, which has seen the British Judo Association host a range of events ranging from the British Schools Championships to the inaugural Birmingham junior European Cup.

We have to go back to March for the first major event on the British Judo calendar, the British Schools Championships. These much-supported Championships saw nearly 700 pupils battle it out to be crowned British Schools Judo Champion. With 77 British Schools Champions crowned over a fantastic weekend of judo action.

Qualification for the 2024 Championships is already well underway and any judoka wishing to compete at the 2024 British Schools Championships can read how to qualify here.

The next stop for our Events Team was a little closer to home, as the University of Wolverhampton, the home of British Judo, played host to the inaugural Birmingham Junior European Cup and Training Camp.

Nearly 300 judoka from across the world descended on the UK’s 2^nd city in what was a superb weekend of international judo. Lewis Fryer look the honour of being GB Judo’s first medallist at the event, as he claimed silver in the -60kg category, whilst on day two, Charlotte Jenman ensured the home crown were treated to a rendition of God Save the King, as she won gold in the -52kg category.

The event didn’t only give our GB judoka the opportunity to compete on the international stage as GB Judo coaches were also able to experience the high levels of competition in what is a crucial development stage in their careers, on home soil.

The 2024 Birmingham Junior European Cup has already been confirmed for the 15^th – 16^th June with the training camp to follow from the 17^th – 19^th June. Register your interest in the event here.

In August, Birmingham then played host to the IBSA World Games. The British Judo Events Team were again on hand to organise and run the event on behalf of the organisation team. The event, which doubled as the IBSA World Championships, saw the best VI talent in World Judo battle it out to be crowned IBSA World Games champion.

Aside from being a global championships on home soil, the Games was also an opportunity for British Judo referees and officials to work at a major championship and further develop their experience.

As we head towards the end of the year, for many it’s a time to wind down and relax. Not for our Events Team as we head towards our busiest and most exciting period.

November will see our British Judo Awards return for their 16^th edition. The annual British Judo Awards are an important event in the British Judo calendar as they honour and celebrate the excellence and dedication within the British Judo community. These awards not only recognise exceptional athletes but also coaches, volunteers and clubs that have contributed significantly to the development, growth and success of judo in the country over the past 12 months.

Check out our 2023 finalists here.

The year ends in the traditional manner with back-to-back weekends at the EIS, Sheffield for the British Judo Championships.

What better way to end the year than with the culmination of 12-months hard work and the crowning of the 2023 National Champions across the Pre-Cadet, Cadet, Junior and Senior age-groups.

The event is also an opportunity for our officials, referees and coaches to come together to celebrate the sport we all love.

Entries are now open for the championships and you can keep up to date with all the key information using our Championship Hub page.

Looking ahead to 2024, British Judo events will continue to progress, along with the traditional events we have all grown to enjoy, the British Judo Events Team will also be staging the British National Team Championships and the Masters Championships in what will be a bumper weekend of judo in early July.

The Female Fighters Festival will also return in March, celebrating the strength of female judoka of all ages.

Keep up to date with all British Judo Events using our events calendar.