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Global judo stars get to grips with Walsall event - with pictures and video

Hundreds of international martial art stars were in Walsall this week to competed at the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships.

By Megan Archer-Fox
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Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition

The University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus welcomed more than 1,000 athletes from 20 countries at the event which ran from Wednesday until yesterday to Sunday this week.

The university is home to British Judo’s Centre of Excellence. The event kicked off with the visually impaired competition on Wednesday, followed by the juniors and seniors on Thursday.

Friday played host to the veterans, with the pre-cadets on Saturday and the event closing yesterday on Sunday with the cadets.

The event coincided with the university’s welcome week, and new students were rubbing shoulders with elite athletes when they arrived to settle in and start their studies. Vice-chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been home to the British Judo Centre of Excellence at our Walsall Campus since 2014.

Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition

“And This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the world-class sporting facilities we have in our region.”

British Judo chief executive Andrew Scoular said: “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for British judoka to become involved in a top-quality event.

Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition
Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus where it was the Commonwealth Judo Competition

“Hopefully we’ll put on a fantastic event and leave a legacy for all home country judoka to follow.”

Councillor Garry Perry, Walsall Council’s cabinet member for community, leisure and culture, said: “Having the Commonwealth Judo Championships here in Walsall was a huge coup, not just for the University of Wolverhampton, but also for the borough of Walsall as well.”

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