Sport

Forces judo stars train at home of British Judo

Members of the UK Armed Forces Judo team have been receiving top class training at the home of British Judo.

It was the first time that the UKAF team have been invited to train with Team GB at their base in Walsall.

It gave the military competitors a chance to work alongside judokas such as Paralympic gold medallist Chris Skelley and it's hoped that the experience could result in more forces athletes competing at top competitions.

Sarah Hawkes, Victor Ahiavor and Chris Sherrington are some of the top names to come out of UKAF over recent years into international competitions.

Staff Sergeant Nathan Lockey is the new team manager of Army Judo and he played a part in arranging the training week.

He thinks the top class training can be only good for the forces competitors.

He said: "We've got our coaching set up within the Armed Forces but there's nothing like Olympic and Paralympic coaches at that international level giving us some of their experience."

"Rather than it being what we know or what we've done in the past, it's what's current and what's on the circuit – ultimately, what's winning Olympic medals.

"If we can get the lads and ladies doing that kind of training, it's only going to be beneficial and send the UK Armed Forces and Army judo in a positive direction."