Searching for females: Army judo encourage more servicewomen to take to the mat

In a busy military sporting landscape, judo enjoys a loyal following. That was evident at the Army championships as soldiers representing cap badges in the UK and overseas took to the mat.

The emergence of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai means servicemen and women have more martial arts to enjoy than ever before. 

As a grapple sport, does that mean judo is losing its grip on its forces fanbase? 

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Not according to the enthusiastic athletes in Aldershot. One area they are keen to see growth in participation is with servicewomen.

Army doctor Captain Faye Brennan has competed on the national and international stage.

She's made it her personal mission to encourage more forces females to give the sport a try, and said: "That's what I'm about, always trying to encourage females. When I was at university and now in the Army, just trying to get as many females as possible to fight."

With plenty of other martial arts to choose from, can judo hold its ground and maintain its popularity? Brennan believes the sport can complement the other disciplines.

She said: "I think I see judo working with different martial arts. We've had a lot of BJJ players on the mat, learning a lot more standing activity, which is good for their BJJ. So, working together is probably the best way moving forward."

Brennan's opponent on the mat at the Army championships was Eleanor Syrett. The second lieutenant, who serves with the REME, says judo is great for fitness and confidence.

"I want to see more women in the sport. I definitely want to bring more of our REME team into it. Get people more confident and higher grades."

Syrett finished on top in her encounter with Brennan to claim the Army title for 2026.

Meanwhile, in the men's competition, there was success for Officer Cadet Harvey Creasey-Cottle. The up-and-coming judo star serves with the Bristol University Officer Training Corps and is a member of the prestigious Bath University Judo Team.

He showed his class en route to gold, seeing off a number of rivals, clinching victory by ippon against Jack West from the weight division above.

There was joy too for Royal Logistic Corps team captain Gethyn Chadwick. His close-quarters endeavours helped the RLC take the team title.

Competitors from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment returned to the Rock with a clutch of medals. WO2 Ethaniel Jeffries-Mor was yet again peerless in the heavyweight masters and individual open (over 100kg) event.

The best Army judoka will gather towards the end of the year to compete at the Inter Services Championships.