The Yorkshire & Humberside area entered 4 teams to the 2026 national teams event. There were no medals this year, the Cadet/Junior boys team were unlucky to lose out by 10 points on going through to the semi finals. 

Seniors

The senior mens team dropped out 2 days before the entry closed. We had commitment from 4 players, however at the last minute they changed their minds. It should be noted that Tommy Jackson was the only player to commit, but unfortunately there was not enough commitment to raise the rest of the team.

We contacted 4 women and entered a senior womens team for the first time in around 15 years. 

Drawing the NHC and South in the pool was tough and those teams were made up of players training for the Commonwealths and other international opportunities. We didn't make it through the pool, but fielded a full women's team. 

-52kg Ying Kwan Fung (Huddersfield Judo Club)

-57kg Steph Libby (Sheffield University)

-63kg Emily Taylor (Ikioi Judo Club)

-70kg Emma Thompson (Combat Base Wakefield)

+70kg Caroline Brayson (Ikioi Judo Club)

Cadet/Junior Boys

Seeded from last year, we drew in the larger pool. Some gutsy performances from players breaking onto the national scene saw 2 round wins in the pool, but ultimately a loss on points and finishing outside of the top to who progressed to the semi finals.

We did not have a heavyweight player and had support from the Northern Area for the -50kg place, Cuthbert Walker (Tees Valley) who won all of his contests.

Stand out performances from James Mullen and Andrew Perez (Judo Excellence)  who were both competing at national level for the first time. Reece Blackshaw (Penistone) fresh off a 7th place at the European Cadet Championships three days before stepped up to -60kg, winning all his contests despite carrying injury.

Elliot WIlkinson (Huddersfield) and Ivar Fergusson (Penistone) put in solid performances for a second year in a row, with some nailbiting final rounds from Ivar. 

-50kg Cuthbert Walker (Tees Valley Judo Club)

-55kg Elliot Wilkinson (Huddersfield Judo Club)

-60kg Reece Blackshaw (Penistone Judo Club)

-66kg Andrew Perez (Judo Excellence)

-73kg James Mullen (Judo Excellence)

-81kg Ivor Fergusson (Penistone Judo Club)

+81kg

Coach: Caroline Brayson/Tony Devine/Simon Wilkinson

Pre-cadet/Minor Boys

The pre-cadet/minor boys were seeded from last year’s bronze but had a tough draw. In 2025 the team was supported well by the Northern Area, however this year the focus was on players from Y&H. While this meant less experience in the team it showed great promise from the area. 

A tough draw with the eventual finalists saw some great performances and judo.. Lots of positive judo to take back to their clubs and work on. The rounds were close, often only with small scores deciding contests.  It was, for many, the first national event and all players held themselves accountable and were a credit to the area.

-38kg Massyl Zaouche (Judo Excellence) / Akim Evsyukov (Judo Excellence)

-42kg Dimitry Ivanovs (Black Spider)

-46kg Jack Deniz (Pudsey Judo Club)

-50kg Johan Mezepo (Black Spider)/Callum Dodds (Tees Valley)

-55kg George Thomas (Tees Valley)

-60kg Tom Vo (Pudsey Judo Club)

+60kg

Coach: Yannick Mezepo/Tony Devine

Pre-cadet/Minor Girls

This was the first year for a long time, maybe 15 years, the area had entered a Pre-cadet/minors girls team. The girls put in excellent performances with some individual wins of very good players. It was a close fought round with Scotland, the eventual winners and also with London who always do well at the teams events. 

For many of the players it was their first step up to national level competition and they didnt disappoint themselves, showing great performances and good judo. We hope the players will go on to 

-44kg Michalina Kasprus (Mirimar Judo Club)

-48kg Eva Thomas (Tees Valley)

-52kg Nadezda Nowinowska (Black Spider)

-57kg Millie Roberts (EYJA)

+57kg Chloe Logan (Scunthorpe Judo Club)/Sophe-Mai Crabtree (Gooch Judo Kwai)

Coach: Liam Doody