Chris Skelley wins Bronze in Paris in a New Weight Category
Tokyo Paralympic Champion on a new Weight Class, Mental Health - and Crocs.
Chris Skelley, 31, won a bronze medal in the Men’s +90kg J2 Judo finals this afternoon, emerging victorious against Indonesia’s Tony Ricardo Ina Mantolas.
The British Judoka was able to score the coveted Ippon, a match-winning score reflected as 10 on the scoreboard, just 1 minute and 52 seconds into the bout which can last up to four minutes.
It comes after Chris, the Paralympic Champion in the now-disbanded -100kg category, had a difficult cycle in which he had to overhaul his training to compete in a new weight class. After his win, he said:
“It's an amazing feeling, it is very hard to go up a weight, you know. The bigger boys are heavier, you have to adapt your judo, you have to really work hard and put the weight on right.”
“I had a really good semi-final, it was close so I was annoyed that I didn't win that one. In my own head, it was a lot of pressure.”
Chris reflected on the journey he’s had and the collaborative effort behind his bronze in Paris:
“The team around me, everyone who looked after me and kept me going - we've all put the effort and the mileage in to secure that bronze medal. I wish it could be another gold, but I'm also very happy with a bronze.”
“It's been a very tough six months for me, mentally, and physically. I'm so pleased that I've come through it a stronger person. Two-time Paralympic medalist, yeah, I'm really happy.”
His celebration plans?
“A few glasses of wine, maybe some gluten-free pork pies; just chill out, celebrate, enjoy ourselves.”
Ahead of the Games, Chris told me how Judo provided continuity and community for him, after severe vision deterioration and a diagnosis of oculartanious albinism as a teenager.
“I lost a lot: rugby, I was a mechanic - stuff like that. The one thing that kind of saved me was was my Judo, and that was the only thing that was left in my life when I was at the end of my tether.”
“I was really struggling with mental health, a load of things were happening and you know judo was there for me as a shining light in my life”
His gold-medal moment in Tokyo was a defining moment of light at the end of the tunnel:
“It was a somber moment because I've been through so much turmoil and upheaval in my life and to be able to stand on the top of the podium in Japan, the home of judo was the most amazing moment of my whole life.”
It’s one which lead to opportunities such as being part of the Aldi Paris 2024 marketing campaign.
“It's surreal when you see my ugly face in ALDI and you're like, ‘how have I got there?’ If you told me that 17-year-old self who was sat on his mum's kitchen floor crying his heart out - I never thought this would happen to me. I keep pinching myself.”
As for the future? Chris wants to shift some of that spotlight onto others and pay it forward. On his training mate, part-time housemate and ‘work wife’ Evan Molloy, 25, who finished 7th in the -90kg J2 competition today in his Paralympic debut, he said
“I'm proud of that little man. He didn't get the medal today but he's one to watch. I will put my mortgage on it that he'll be gold medalist in LA.”
“He's an upcoming athlete and I tell you watch out for Evan Molloy because he's going to be around for a long time.”
And for himself? That’s less certain.
“I don't know what the future holds for me. I want to give back now and help others get to this position.”
On just what makes Chris such a staunch advocate for the benefits of Judo? The fundamentality of combat sport, it’s inclusivity, and camaraderie:
“It’s the basis of two people wrestling each other, almost like a gladiator. It's strategic, it's physical, it can change in an instant and I think that's the beauty of the sport. But what’s also amazing is it’s so adaptable for anyone with a disability.”
“whatever your disability is, judo is there. It's a family that you become a part of, the judo family, which is what I love about this sport. Not just the competing side of it, but it's also the family side of it.”
Any other passions in Chris’s life? Well - er - crocs.
“My coach hates them, my wife want to burn them - Crocs are banned, but I still wear them. I’m for the revolution, the Crocs revolution!”
At the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet predicted an “Inclusion Revolution”. As we anticipate tomorrow’s closing ceremony, it’s a chance to reflect on these incredible Games and look forward to what their legacy will be. Inclusion, accessibility and equal play for all.
But we can have all that and wear crocs too. Why not.