Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility played host to an exciting weekend of judo action as the Scottish National Closed Championship 2025 welcomed 361 judoka from 46 clubs across the country.
Over two days, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, the tatami came alive with fierce competition, camaraderie, and standout performances. Club Sportif emerged as the dominant force, topping the medal table, with Garioch Judo and Pro Judo close behind in second and third place, respectively. Notably, 27% of competitors were female, reflecting JudoScotland’s growing female membership and commitment to inclusivity in the sport.
Saturday’s events saw a mix of minors, pre-cadet, cadet, junior and senior categories, with standout performances from Hibari Kan Judo Club’s Kevin Gordon. Having already met a qualification criteria for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Gordon added to his accolades with a gold in the Junior –100kg and a silver in the Senior category.
The Buchanan family stole the spotlight in a remarkable display of sibling success. Lexi Buchanan clinched triple gold in the Cadet and Junior, and Senior –48kg categories. Her brothers Jude and Joseph followed suit, Jude winning gold in the Pre-Cadet –60kg, and Joseph securing Senior –60kg gold along with a silver in the Junior category.
Meanwhile, Tam’s Brig Judo Club demonstrated that success isn’t reserved for the biggest clubs. For the first time in recent history, the team secured three medals: Emma McCall claimed silver in the Cadet Female -52 kg category, Mark McGarrie earned silver in Veterans M5–M6 -73 kg, and Andrew Strachan took bronze in Veterans M3–M4 -100 kg.
Sunday marked a historic moment with the inclusion of the Veterans category, a first in recent memory for the Closed Championship. The passion and commitment of these seasoned judoka added a new layer of inspiration to the event, and JudoScotland looks forward to expanding this category in future editions.
Adding a touch of excitement off the mat, Finnie, the official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, made a special appearance, delighting competitors and spectators alike.
In a record-breaking show of support, 91 coaches pre-registered to coach matside, underscoring the vital role they play in fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes.
The event’s success was made possible by the tireless efforts of volunteers, including referees, table officials, and the enthusiastic Game Changer team. Members of the Senpai programme also played a key role in supporting officials and ensuring smooth operations throughout the weekend.
If you would like to view the full list of results from the weekend click here.
