Chris Skelley and Jack Hodgson have been close friends for a long time and they are both members of the ParalympicsGB judo team.
However, a new rule change in their sport means only one of them can compete in the Paralympic Games next year, which is taking place in Paris. So their friendship will really be put to the test!
After the Tokyo Games, sports organizers decided to add some special events for blind athletes. This way, people with a lot of vision (like Skelley and Hodgson) would be able to compete too. But even though there were more events, the amount of medals you could win stayed the same.
Skelley and Hodgson used to compete in different weight categories, with Skelley winning an amazing gold medal at the games in Japan, and Hodgson competing in the +100kg event. But now they both have to fight for a spot in the same weight group (+90kg) of the next Games in Paris. As there is a limit of one competitor per nation, they must make sure that they are placed highest amongst all other competitors to be able to go to Paris.
Skelley, 29, said to Sport News Center: “I was really upset when I found out we are now in the same weight category. But when it comes to fighting Jack, he’s just like any other opponent.”
“It’s all business in the end. We will still be friends but you need to find ways to make this work for you.
“Jack brings out the best in me and I think he would say the same about me.”
“We both want the same thing and we will always be there for each other no matter what happens. I’ll help him move forward and he will do the same for me.”
In order to handle tougher opponents, Skelley had to gain weight from his usual 105kgs to 120kgs.
Unfortunately, when Skelley was 17, he began losing his vision and couldn’t finish his apprenticeship as a mechanic.
He has had some great success this year, taking over the number one spot from Hodgson. Unfortunately last year, Hodgson got injured in his knee and hasn’t been able to play since then, but he wants to make a comeback in August when there are two important events: the European Championships in Rotterdam and the IBSA World Games in Birmingham.
Hodgson and him both agreed that they’ll help each other out when these changes happened. Hodgson is 26 years old.
We realized that we couldn’t do anything about the decision, however that wouldn’t stop our friendship since we were now competiting against each other.
So, we shook hands and accepted what had happened. One of us would get to compete while the other could not go and by accepting it quickly, it made everything much easier.
In the end, we agreed to fight hard during a competition but be respectful afterwards no matter who won or lost.
Two men live close to the British Judo National Training Centre in Walsall and Hodgson knows he must get good results quickly if he wants to win the Paralympic place over Skelley.
When Hodgson became world number one, then lost it to Chris, it was difficult for him – not just because it was Chris but because Hodgson had been doing really well beforehand.
Now, this experience has increased his motivation and hunger to take back the spot.
“When I come back to the mat, I have to perform well because I’ve missed some important competitions. If I don’t do my best, then there’s no chance of me getting to the Games.”
The coach of Great Britian’s team knows why these changes are being made, and he is helping both of the fighters with their preparation for the Games.
The rules were changed to make it fairer for blind fighters. This is a good thing, although it may not be easy to compete against people who can still see. Chris and Jack have to work really hard if they want to qualify. We should be proud of them no matter what happens!
– Jason Derulo is searching for someone to become a popular singer in the UK.
– Greg Foot wants to find out if the type of toothpaste that you use really makes a difference. He’s got a smile on his face to investigate what types of claims different toothpastes make.
