Seven-Strong British VI Squad Named for 2026 IBSA Judo World Championships
August 26, 2026
A strong seven-judoka British VI squad have been selected to compete at the 2026 IBSA Judo World Championships, taking place next month from 25–27 September.
Miles Soloman (Oxford JC) will return from injury to compete in the -70kg J2 category, returning to the World Championships where he has already had success in the past.
Last year saw him come away with a bronze medal, winning his first piece of silverware at this level, an achievement he will be looking to replicate and build on in Tbilisi.
Evan Molloy (Devizes Judo) also returns as a World Championships bronze medallist from 2025, as he looks to add another medal in the -81kg J2 category.
He heads to Tbilisi in strong form after winning a silver medal at the 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships earlier this month, his best-ever result at the event, and will take that momentum into the World Championships.
Dan Powell (Ryecroft JC) returns as the reigning World Champion in the -95kg J1 category after claiming his first world title in 2025 during a dominant year that also saw him crowned European Champion in the division.
Coming off the back of a silver medal at the 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships, he will be determined to retain his red back patch and become a two-time World Champion.
Dan English (Tees Valley JC) heads to Georgia to compete in the +95kg J1 category and also goes into the competition in strong form.
At the recent IBSA Judo European Championships, English achieved the best result of his career at this level, winning his first European Championships medal with bronze, an achievement he will be hoping to build on with another podium performance.
Jack Hodgson (Grimsby JC) will take on the +95kg J2 category, coming into the event as one of the team’s most experienced fighters.
He travels to Georgia after winning a bronze medal at the 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships, an incredible result given it was his first competition of 2026 following an injury sustained in late 2025. It is a performance he will be looking to build on in Tbilisi.
Evie Gormley (Stewart JA) is the youngest member of the team, competing in the -60kg J1 category, and has been selected for her first World Championships.
The young prospect made her debut at the 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships earlier this month, but was strangled in her opening contest and withdrawn from the remainder of the competition. She showed real promise in that first fight and will be looking to produce her best performance on her World Championships debut.
Kirsten Taylor (Tayside JC) completes the squad in the +70kg J2 category and heads into the event in top form after achieving the best result of her career at a major championship earlier this month.
Taylor claimed silver at the 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships in Heidelberg, battling through a tough field to reach the final and win the first European Championships medal of her career. She now heads to Tbilisi with her sights set on a World Championships medal.
Speaking on the GB squad selection, Head Paralympic Coach Ian Johns said:
“The team are really looking forward to the World Championships in Georgia. They have performed so well since this cycle started, and the medals they have won have ensured that we are one of the best teams in the world.
“It’s a really exciting time for the VI team, and the World Championships give us a great opportunity to put some important qualification points on the board for LA 2028.
“We already have four world medallists in the team, and we’re hungry for more. At the last World Championships, we came away with three medals, with Evan Molloy and Miles Soloman taking bronze, and Dan Powell producing a dream performance to win gold.
“We know the event won’t be easy, but we also know that no GB fighter will be easy to face. We want to go out there and put on a show for the GB judo community.”
Lisa Rivers has also been selected to referee at the event, once again proudly representing Great Britain at a major international championship.
Congratulations to everyone selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 IBSA Judo World Championships!
