Great Britain’s Judo Stars Shine at Riga Senior European Cup and Beyond
The weekend of March 21st-22nd, 2026, proved to be a resounding success for Great British judoka, with medals secured at the Riga Senior European Cup in Latvia, the International Thuringia Cup and the International Masters Bremen in Germany. The performances showcased both established talent and rising stars within the GB Judo team.
Nicole Wood Claims Gold in Dramatic All-British Final
The Riga Senior European Cup saw Nicole Wood deliver a standout performance, winning her first-ever Gold medal on the European circuit. The Scottish judoka defeated Northern Ireland’s Rachael Hawkes in a thrilling all-British final in the -78kg category. Wood’s dominance was evident throughout the day, with opponents unable to score against her, culminating in a swift submission victory over Hawkes within the first thirty seconds of the contest.
Hawkes, a previous winner of the Riga competition in 2023 (at -70kg), demonstrated her adaptability after moving up to the -78kg category, securing victories over Begona Sotillo Gomez (ESP) and Anya Hassan before facing Wood in the final.
Bronze Medal Success for Hassan and Male Squad
Anya Hassan secured a Bronze medal in the -78kg category, adding to Wood’s Gold and completing a trio of medals for Great Britain in that weight class. Hassan’s quick win, secured with an excellent uchi-mata, highlighted her skill and determination.
The male squad also contributed to the medal haul, with Tommy Jackson (-73kg), Rory Tyrrell (-81kg), Adam Hall (+100kg), and Gregor Miller (+100kg) all claiming Bronze medals. Jackson’s medal marked his first European medal in the -73kg competition, achieved after a hard-fought contest settled by a single Yuko.
Tyrrell and Hall Demonstrate Resilience
Rory Tyrrell continued his successful transition to the -81kg category, adding a third medal to his collection since moving up from -73kg in 2024. His performance included forcing an opponent to submit and navigating a challenging Golden Score contest.
39-year-vintage Adam Hall showcased his experience in the +100kg competition, overcoming an early defeat to secure a Bronze medal with a decisive waza-ari-awasete-ippon.
Further Successes in Germany
At the Bremen International Masters, Reece Blackshaw secured a Bronze medal in the -55kg category, overcoming a stacked field of 61 competitors. His journey to the podium involved seven contests, including a victory over World No.19 Ibrahim Talibov (AZE).
Peter Davies (-81kg) and Kevin Gordon (-100kg) both finished seventh in their respective categories, gaining valuable competitive experience.
Ewing Secures Bronze at Thuringia Cup
Eva Ewing won the sole Bronze medal for the team at the Thuringia Cup, achieving her first podium finish since the Kaunas Junior European Cup in May of the previous year. She overcame fellow Brit Olivia Barfoot-Saunt in the repechage before defeating Germany’s Emilia Lemm in the final.
Several other British athletes came close to medaling at the Thuringia Cup, including Katrina Davis, Maisie Broadley, Hannah King, Evie Mitchell, Zoe Galbraith, and Lola Hodson.
Beyond the Medals: Notable Performances
Several other British athletes achieved strong results, demonstrating the depth of talent within the GB Judo program. Samuel Petgrave finished fifth in the -90kg category, while Nordine Adrif, Jaden Calder, and Sunny Doig all placed seventh in their respective divisions.
FAQ
Q: Where did the Riga Senior European Cup take place?
A: The Riga Senior European Cup took place in Riga, Latvia.
Q: Who won the Gold medal in the -78kg category at the Riga Senior European Cup?
A: Nicole Wood of Great Britain won the Gold medal.
Q: How many Bronze medals did the British male squad win at the Riga Senior European Cup?
A: The British male squad won four Bronze medals.
Q: Which British judoka won a medal at the Bremen International Masters?
A: Reece Blackshaw won a Bronze medal at the Bremen International Masters.
Q: What competition did Eva Ewing win a Bronze medal at?
A: Eva Ewing won a Bronze medal at the Thuringia Cup.
Pro Tip: Consistent competition and international exposure are crucial for developing judoka. The diverse range of events attended by the GB team demonstrates a commitment to providing athletes with these opportunities.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and results from GB Judo by visiting the official British Judo website.
