Six VI British Judoka Ready for IBSA World Championships in Tbilisi
September 24, 2026
The IBSA Judo World Championships 2026 begin tomorrow in Georgia, with six visually impaired British judoka set to take on the world’s best in Tbilisi.
Miles Soloman (Oxford Judo) will be the team’s only competitor on the opening day of the competition on Friday 25 September, fighting in the -70kg J2 category.
This competition marks his return from injury, with Soloman heading into the event as a 2025 bronze medallist after winning his first piece of silverware at this level last year. He will be looking to build on that result in Georgia.
Soloman will begin his campaign in the Round of 16, where he will face either Abdula Omarov (NPA) or Min Jae Lee (KOR).
Competing on Saturday 26 September is Evie Gormley (Stewart JA), who will take on the -60kg J1 division in her World Championships debut.
Last month, Gormley made her European Championships debut as she continues to challenge herself at the top level of the sport. She will take the experience gained from that event into Tbilisi as she looks to put her best foot forward against world-class opposition.
Gormley will begin her World Championships campaign in the Round of 16, where she will face either Merve Uslu Hajabipour (TUR) or Yijie Shi (CHN).
Evan Molloy (Devizes JC) also returns to the IBSA World Championships as a 2025 bronze medallist, competing in the -81kg J2 category.
At last month’s IBSA European Championships, Molloy secured the best result of his career at the event, claiming silver. He will take that form and momentum into this weekend as he looks to add another World Championships medal.
Molloy will start his campaign in the Round of 16, where he will face either Donghoon Kim (KOR) or Mostafa Mostafa (EGY).
Dan Powell (Ryecroft JC) returns to the competition as the reigning -95kg J1 World Champion, looking to defend his title and retain his red back patch.
He heads into the championships off the back of a silver medal at last month’s IBSA European Championships and will be looking to continue the exceptional form he has shown in recent years as he aims to become a two-time world champion.
Powell begins the defence of his world title in the Round of 16, where he will face either Samet Safak (TUR) or Ilhar Nabiiev (UKR).
Dan English (Tees Valley JC) enters the +95kg J1 division as another member of the squad arriving in Tbilisi in strong form.
English claimed bronze at last month’s IBSA European Championships, securing the best result of his career at this level, and will be aiming to build on that performance in Tbilisi.
He will begin his campaign in the Round of 16, where he will face Ramini Kipshidze (GEO).
Closing out the squad is Jack Hodgson (Grimsby JC), who will compete in the +95kg J2 category.
Hodgson is one of the team’s most experienced fighters and comes into the championships off the back of a bronze medal at last month’s IBSA European Championships, an excellent return after a long-term injury. With valuable competition experience and fitness back under his belt, he will be looking to go deep into the division.
Hodgson begins his campaign in the quarter-final, where he will face Gwang Geun Choi (KOR).
Unfortunately, Kirsten Taylor, who was selected to compete, has had to withdraw from the competition due to injury. We wish Kirsten the very best in her recovery.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Head Paralympic Coach Ian Johns said: “We have a really good mix of former world medallists who know how to get the job done, and a couple of first-timers.
“This is one of the pinnacles of any fighter’s career, and all I can ask is that they go and give everything. As we know with this team, if they perform to their potential, we could walk away with silverware.
“A huge shame that Kirsten Taylor was injured last week and will not be able to compete. The rest of the fighters are really looking forward to doing what they do best – representing British Judo, our clubs and our families.”
Lisa Rivers has also been selected to referee at the World Championships this weekend, once again representing Great Britain at a major international championship. Congratulations, Lisa!
Good luck to the whole team!
