Paralympics: Two Wiltshire athletes in Team GB's judo squad
The three-man team is getting ready for this year's Games
Last updated 23rd Jul 2024
Swindon's Chris Skelley will defend his judo title at he Paralympics in Paris after being included in Great Britain's three-man squad.
The 31-year-old, who now lives in Hull, won Britain's first gold in the sport since 1996 when he took victory in Tokyo three years ago.
Meanwhile, Evan Molloy from Devizes is on the team - alongside Walsall's Daniel Powell.
He and Daniel Powell each return for their third Paralympics, while Evan Molloy will make his Games debut.
"It means everything to me to be able to pull on the judo jacket and step on that mat to give my best performance for my country, my family, my friends, my coach and everyone that has supported me over the years," said Hunt Skelley, who competes in the J2 +90kg category following classification changes.
Powell finished seventh on his Paralympic debut at London 2012 and equalled that result in Japan.
The 33-year-old from Liverpool has won world and European silver medals in the J1 -90kg category this cycle and is ranked third in the world.
"I am heading to these Games in great form," he said.
"I am the highest ranked I have ever been for a Games, so I am hopefully looking forward to bringing home a medal for my little boy."
Molloy, who was a training partner at the Tokyo Games and competes in the J2 -90kg category, won bronze at the European Championships in 2023.
"Being able to represent ParalympicsGB alongside Chris and Dan is truly a privilege and it is great to have the wider British Judo team there to support me, it means so much as I make my debut," said the 25-year-old from Devizes.