Meet three GB judokas on a quest for a history-making Olympic gold
Ahead of the European Championships taking place in Montpellier from 3-5 November, the next ranking event for judokas hoping to obtain more qualification points toward Paris 2024, Olympics.com takes a look at the Brits hoping to continue their journey toward judo history.
Judo
Great Britain have won 20 Olympic medals in judo, quite the tally, but are yet to achieve top spot.
Eight silver and 12 bronze have been claimed by 15 athletes, with one of those still current, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, Chelsie Giles.
The next competition for the 2022 World silver medallist, is the 2023 European Championships, in which she is the defending champion in the -52kg weight category.
Giles is one of a 17-strong GB squad travelling to France for the continental championships, which takes place from 3-5 November in Montpellier.
Forty-six countries and 389 judokas will thrash it out not only for titles but also IJF World Ranking points that count toward the quota berths for Paris 2024, comprised of results from all World Tour events between 24 June 2022 – 23 June 2024.
Olympics.com takes a look at three of the current crop of GB judokas looking to take a step toward the pinnacle of their sport and a potential history-making moment.
Team GB judokas competing at the 2023 European Championships with an eye on Paris 2024 gold
Chelsie Giles (-52kg)
At 13, Chelsie Giles had a decision to make. A timetable clash meant she had to choose between gymnastics or judo. Choosing the latter turned out to be a good decision.
The now 26-year-old is looking to qualify for her second Olympic Games after a successful outing at her first, winning bronze at Tokyo 2020, Team GB's first medal in Japan.
The defending European champion, Giles competes in the -52kg category. Her time in the sport has coincided with one of the all-time greats in the weight class, Japan’s Abe Uta, a four-time world champion, and someone Giles will need to beat if she's to claim that Olympic gold, but thankfully won't have to worry about at the upcoming Europeans.
GB judoka Lucy Renshall (-63kg)
Current world number one in the -63kg category, Lucy Renshall knew she wanted to be an Olympian when she was a kid – she just hadn't picked the sport in which she would do it yet.
When local coach, Peter Blood, came to her school to host a taster session, the eight-year-old was hooked; six weeks later she joined the SKK Judo Club where Blood was head coach.
Training alongside two-time Olympian and Rio 2016 bronze medallist, Sally Conway, proved invaluable for Renshall's long-held dream, which she achieved at Tokyo 2020.
The 27-year-old is a doubt for the Europeans due to a facial injury suffered during the Zagreb Grand Prix in August, however her absence in France would make little difference to her high seeding position.
So qualification for Paris 2024 and an Olympic medal is still on the cards. Could it be that elusive gold?
Lucy Renshall GB judoka versus Helene Wezeu Dombeu of Cameroon at the 2019 World Championship
Wesley Greenidge (+100kg)
Mr Greenidge is having quite the year, claiming three European Open podium places since February, including a first-ever gold, at the Tallinn edition in July.
With Olympic calibre cheerleaders such as 2019 world gymnastics champion, Joe Fraser, who congratulated Greenidge on his breakthrough performance via social media, the 25-year-old is making steady progress toward a first Olympic qualification.
Quite the change from the 2022 season, which he describes as "the hardest year of my career". The London fighter will be hoping his current trajectory continues, just in time for Olympic year.
Montpellier 2023 European Judo Championships schedule and how to watch
Friday 3 November
Women: -48/-52/-57 kg Men: -60/-66 kg
10:00 Elimination rounds, repechage, semi-finals
16:00 Final Block: Medal contests
Saturday 4 November
Women: -63/-70 kg Men: -73/-81 kg
10:00 Elimination rounds, repechage, semi-finals
16:00 Final Block: Medal contests
Sunday 5 November
Women: -78/+78 kg Men: -90/-100/+100 kg
10:00 Elimination rounds, repechage, semi-finals
16:00 Final Block: Medal contests
The programme is provisional. Live stream is available at Judotv.com.
Full GB Judo Team for the 2023 European Championships
-66kg: Charlie Young
-66kg: Sam Hall
-73kg: Eric Ham
-81kg: Lachlan Moorhead
-90kg: Stuart McWatt
-90kg: Jamal Petgrave
-100kg: Rhys Thompson
-100kg: Harry Lovell-Hewitt
+100kg: Wesley Greenidge
-52kg: Chelsie Giles
-57kg: Nekoda Smythe-Davis
-57kg: Lele Nairne
-63kg: Lucy Renshall
-70kg: Kelly Petersen-Pollard
-70kg: Jemima Yeats-Brown
-78kg: Natalie Powell
-78kg: Emma Reid