This Summer, Judo will join the lineup for the first time at the 6th edition of the Virtus Global Games which takes place in Vichy-France from the 2nd – 11th of June. The Virtus Global Games are the world’s largest elite sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment. 1000 athletes from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania will perform across 14 sports.

Scottish Judoka Chris Murphy from Shettleston Judo Club will join a team of 11 Judoka to represent GB at the Games this Summer. As current ID World Champion, Chris has made a strong return since the pandemic stopped competition, taking Gold at the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in 2022 his first post-pandemic competition. Ahead of the Games, we caught up with Chris to hear how he is getting on.

So, Chris, how are the preparations going for the Games?

“I am feeling good, my training is where it needs to be, my health is where it needs to be.  I am just going through the usual prep for a competition. Using more technical ability and trying new things to see what works, see what doesn’t work. And getting a Game plan in place.”

You Won Gold at the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in 2022, how has this set you up for the upcoming Global Games?

“The Games set me up well because I haven’t been able to compete due to the pandemic. It was a great opportunity to get rid of the ‘ring rust’ as I haven’t been able to do any international competitions. I will face some of the same competitors from the Oceania Asian Games but there will also be a lot more at the World Games.”

What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

“Easily, The World Championships. It’s so ironic because that was probably one day that I fought the worst I’ve ever fought. My first few fights were not all that great, a mix of nerves and the set-up, it felt like everything went wrong and I scrapped through my first few fights. Once the lighting set-up got sorted, I relaxed a bit more, settled into it a bit more and it took a little extra push of being caught for waza-ari by the Belgian player, that made me think I’ve got to snap out of this.”

For you what is the best thing about being involved in Judo?

“Judo opens up a whole new world. You get the possibility to meet amazing people, see cool things and meet icons and legends of the sport!”

As well as competing, Chris coaches at his Judo club, Shettleston Judo Club where he leads the adaptive sessions and he is also working towards becoming a referee, an area of the sport he hopes to progress in at a later date.

If you would like to support Chris and the GB Judo Adaptive Team, you can donate via their Just Giving page here. Alternatively, if you would like to sponsor Chris directly contact Shettleston Judo Club.

To find out more about the Virtus Global Games, click here.