24082026 Navy judoka Colin Francis (right) won gold at the Uniformed Services European Judo Championships CREDIT Gabriel Juan.jpg — Royal Navy judoka Colin Francis (right) won gold in the men's -60kg elite and -66kg vets events (Picture: Gabriel Juan)

Sport

Military judokas lead British success at inaugural Uniformed Services European Judo Championships

24th August 2026 at 1:26pm

Military judokas from across the services have won a total of four medals at the inaugural Uniformed Services European Judo Championships in Birmingham.

The historic first edition of the event saw a total of 69 athletes, which included military, police, fire and other uniformed services from across Europe competing for the final continental titles.

Eleven athletes from the UK Armed Forces represented Great Britain at the event – including the Royal Navy's Colin Francis, who took gold in the men's -60kg elite and -66kg vets.

The RAF's Alfie Mitchell won gold in the men's -66kg. The RAF judoka has spent most of his life in the sport after he was introduced to judo by his father.

Speaking to the European Judo Union, he said: "It's good to be here for the first one and good to win it. I just look forward to the event getting bigger and more challenges.

"I have always done judo, for as long as I can remember. My dad had a club when I was born, so that's how I started.

"Once I left school, I looked for the best option where I could get a job and do judo alongside that, and the RAF was that for me.

"It's been good helping me balance it and paying for my events as well."

24082026 Alfie Mitchell at European champs CREDIT Gabriel Juan.jpg — RAF judoka Alfie Mitchell won gold in the men's -66kg (Picture: Gabriel Juan)

Mitchell also says that competing for his service feels a lot different to competing for his club.

He said: "It's a bit different because you are used to fighting for your club, and this way you are fighting for your service.

"It's the only real chance that you get to put yourself against the other countries, so yeah, that feels good."

24082026 Alfie Mitchell judo CREDIT Gabriel Juan.jpg — ARF judoka Alfie Mitchell in action at the Uniformed Services European Judo Championships (Picture: Gabriel Juan)

Royal Navy judoka David Ferguson picked up a silver in the men's -81kg vets event, whilst his Navy teammate Kenneth Harris won bronze in the -100kg vets.

RAF Judoka Aidan Galatowicz won bronze in the men's -66kg, while Army reservist Idris Khan also won silver in the men's -81kg.

Reflecting on his experience, Khan told the European Judo Union that he'll be aiming for gold in the future.

He said: "I really enjoyed it. You know, being able to compete for the first one, yeah, it's been great.

"And then being able to represent my country, my club and the regiment all in one, it's an amazing feeling, and then being able to medal as well is great.

"So hopefully the next one I'm able to bring back the gold."