Commonwealth Games England select 14 judokas for Glasgow 2026, bringing together reigning champions, returning medallists and a wave of emerging talent ahead of this summer’s competition.

Leading the team are defending Commonwealth champions Emma Reid and Jamal Petgrave, both returning with gold medals from Birmingham 2022.

Reid, who famously overcame Natalie Powell to secure -78kg gold on home soil, has since added world bronze and European silver to her growing international medal collection, underlining her status as one of England’s leading judokas.

Petgrave, meanwhile, returns to defend his -90kg title after a standout debut at the last Games, where he claimed gold and established himself among the country’s most consistent performers on the international stage.

Also returning for a third Commonwealth Games is two-time bronze medallist Jemima Yeats-Brown, who continues her long-standing connection with the event after first stepping onto the podium in Glasgow in 2014 as a late call-up.

She said: “I have very good memories of the Commonwealth Games. These Games have always brought my family together in different ways and I have always felt like there is where I feel the happiest.”

Yeats-Brown is joined once again by Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Kelly Petersen-Pollard, who returns looking to build on her podium finish on home soil.

Silver medallist Acelya Toprak also makes the squad, aiming to go one better in Glasgow after continuing to collect medals on the international circuit, including Grand Slam and Grand Prix success.

Paris 2024 Olympian Lele Nairne returns for her second Commonwealth Games appearance, joined by her younger brother Ethan Nairne, who is among eight debutants in the squad.

The new faces also include Shelley Ludford, who has battled back from a lengthy injury layoff, and 20-year-old Charlie Ayre, the youngest member of the squad following his first senior European Championships appearance earlier this year.

At 21, Ben Levy arrives in Glasgow in strong form after winning bronze at the Paris Grand Slam, while Max Gregory earns his long-awaited Team England debut after missing out through injury four years ago.

Also set for their first Commonwealth Games appearances are Michael Fryer and Tatum Keen, with Keen arriving fresh from her first World Tour medal this season.

Wesley Greenidge rounds off the squad in the +100kg category.

Team England Chef de Mission Jonathon Riall said, “It is brilliant to be able to announce our judo squad, another milestone in our preparations for Glasgow 2026.”

“It is really exciting to welcome back reigning champions and medallists alongside lots of new faces who will represent Team England for the first time. I know they are all going to put on a show in Glasgow and make the country proud.”

British Judo head coach Luke Preston added, “I am really excited and proud to be part of this special team as they compete in Glasgow. This squad has a strong mix of youth and experience. We have Commonwealth Games debutants and defending champions, all of whom will be going for gold this summer.”

“This will be my third Commonwealth Games as a Team England coach, and I am looking forward to making new memories with our team that will last a lifetime.”

Visit Glasgow2026.com to purchase tickets to watch our Judo stars in action!

Team England judo squad:

Tatum Keen (24, Bitton)

Acelya Toprak (28, Lewisham)

Lele Nairne (28, Weston-super-Mare)

Kelly Petersen-Pollard (27, Birmingham)

Jemima Yeats-Brown (30, Pembury)

Emma Reid (31, Royston)

Shelley Ludford (27, Basingstoke)

Charlie Ayre (20, Middlesbrough)

Michael Fryer (26, Tring)

Ben Levy (21, London)

Jamal Petgrave (29, Carshalton)

Ethan Nairne (24, Weston-super-Mare)

Max Gregory (25, Plymouth)

Wesley Greenidge (27, London)