GB Judo Team head to Virtus Oceania Asia Games (25.10.22)
25.10.22
British Judo players selected to the first GB Team competing at the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Australia, taking place from 5-11 November.
The UK Sports Association, the GB member of Virtus, and British Judo have collaborated to achieve the entry, this being the first GB Judo Team to be selected to compete at a Virtus Championships.
The team features multiple ID World and ID European medallists. World and double European Champion Skye Westwood (Rush Judo; Matt Rush) is joined by World Champion and European bronze medallist Nikki McDermott (South Shields; Joe Foster) in the women’s entries.
World and double European Champions Thomas Mawdsley (Mill JC; Colin Mawdsley) and Christopher Murphy (Shettleston; Alex Reid) lead the male entries. World and European medallist Mikey Lomas (Miramar; Andrew Parton) has been a consistent performer on the global stage and will be looking to add a further title to his CV.
They are joined by six-time British Adaptive Champion and multiple European and World open medallist Stuart Jackman (Swindon JC; Lee Adams).
Stanley Walker (Rush Judo; Matt Rush), Joshua Hughes (Wirral JC; Chris Soakell) and Joshuha Hodkinson (SKK; Pete Blood)complete the team.
Team Leader, Sami Smithson said:
“I am incredibly proud to be leading this team. The team have worked incredibly hard following their return from the covid pandemic to earn their selection.
“We have selected a team with a great mix of experience and young talent and I can’t wait to get out to Australia and see the team perform.”
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association said:
“I am delighted that British Judo and the UK Sports Association have collaborated to make this happen. The hard work and determination of British Judo and all of the athletes to reach this level have paid off.
To see an entry at the inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games is a great achievement. It also begins to develop the approach for future Virtus Championships, including the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France.”
GB Judo Team:
Men
-66kg Stanley Walker (Rush Judo; Matt Rush)
-66kg Thomas Mawdsley (Mill JC; Colin Mawdsley)
-73kg Joshua Hughes (Wirral JC; Chris Soakell)
-73kg Joshuha Hodkinson (SKK; Pete Blood)
-81kg Christopher Murphy (Shettleston; Alex Reid)
-100kg Stuart Jackman (Swindon JC; Lee Adams)
+100kg Mikey Lomas (Miramar; Andrew Parton)
Women
-52kg Nikki McDermott (South Shields; Joe Foster)
-57kg Skye Westwood (Rush Judo; Matt Rush)
The Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 (OA Games 2022) is a multi-sport regional event in the Oceania Asia region for elite athletes with intellectual impairment that is being held 5-11 November 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. This year marks the first time that an international Virtus event has been held in the region.
The UK Sports Association (UKSA) is the official British member of Virtus. Entries to the Virtus Championships has been made possible through a collaboration between British Judo and UKSA. UKSA is the conduit to Virtus Championships and the organisation responsible for the eligibility and classification system for British athletes across the UK. The GB (Judo) Team comprises athletes from across class II1 and II3.
If you would like more information on the Games, or how to get involved in Judo in the UK, contact UKSA.
If you would like more information on the work of British Judo and specific team members, contact British Judo Communications Manager, Jarryd Dunn.