Gold medal performances: RAF judokas sit top of the podiums at the British Veterans Open

Two RAF judokas have won gold medals at the 2026 British Veterans Open at the University of East London SportsDock.

Sergeant Andy Melbourne won gold at last year's event and repeated the achievement with a flawless performance in the M3 100+kg category.

Squadron Leader Steve Milne was only able to pick up a silver in 2025, but this year he went one better to win the M2 -90kg category.

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Sgt Melbourne's performance was one of his best as he kicked off the group stage with a win over Belgian Diederik Dedauw and continued that momentum to pick up a further four wins over British competitors.

Sqn Ldr Milne's journey to gold was a knockout competition, but he held his nerve to beat Latvian Gruznov German, Belgian Gunner De Laet and British star Jonathan McGowan.

Elsewhere, the Royal Navy's David Ferguson won a bronze medal after a defeat to Frenchman Lorioux Maxime in the semi-final of the M2 -81kg category.