A former rugby player, Skelley started judo as a way of improving his fitness, while he also enjoyed the sociable element of the sport.

After developing a visual impairment, Skelley lost his job as a mechanic and became a full time athlete. He now lives and trains full time at the Centre of Excellence in Walsall, where the VI judoka train alongside their Olympic counterparts.

Skelley’s greatest career highlight to date was the 2015 World Games in Seoul, South Korea, where he triumphed to win a bronze medal just six weeks after dislocating his hip in training.