Paris 2024: Ones to Watch in Para judo

Para judo athletes you should be looking out for when the next Paralympics kick off in France in less than 120 days 03 May 2024

By IPC

With the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games well and truly in the final stages, our Sport Weeks provide you with the perfect guide to each of the competitions being contested in France. To round off this week, here are the Para judokas to look out for this summer.

Christopher Skelley (Great Britain)

Two male judokas fighting on the mat — @Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

The world and reigning Paralympic men’s -100kg champion says it is the “aim of his life” to become a double Paralympic champion at his third Games in Paris.

Nataliya Nikolaychyk (Ukraine)

Two female athletes compete on a judo mat — @Joe Toth/OIS

The European champion is hoping to secure her third Paralympic medal at Paris 2024, more than a decade after winning her first medal, a bronze, in the women’s -52kg division at London 2012.

Sandrine Aurieres-Martinet (France)

Two female judo athletes in action at Tokyo 2020 — **Sandrine Aurieres-Martinet, right** @Koki Nagahama/ Getty Images

The double world and 2016 Paralympic champion is a hot favourite to upgrade her Tokyo 2020 silver to gold on home soil at Paris 2024.

Oleg Cretul (Moldova)

Two male Para judokas fighting on the mat — **Oleg Cretul, left** @European Para Championships 2023

The Paralympic veteran and reigning European champion in the –91kg category will be contesting his fifth Games in Paris as he goes in search of his third Paralympic medal.

Arthur Cavalcante Da Silva (Brazil)

Two male judokas compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics — @Matsui Mikihito/CPB

The world bronze medallist is in prime form to secure his first Paralympic medal at what will be his third Games.

Priscilla Gagne (Canada)

Priscilla Gange, Canada, Para judo — @Koki Nagahama/Getty Images

Canada’s flagbearer for the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony claimed Paralympic silver in the women’s -52kg before adding world silver in 2022. 

Alana Maldonado (Brazil)

Alana Maldonado in action during the Tokyo 2020 final — **Alana Maldonado, right** @Getty Images

The dominant force in the women’s -70kg, the double world champion is also aiming to win her second Paralympic title at Paris 2024, her third Games.

Kapil Parmar (India)

Two Para judo athletes are competing — **Kapil Parmar, right** @IJF/Tamara Kulumbegashvili

The rising star of the men’s J1 -60kg category is set to make his Paralympic debut at Paris 2024. He claimed his first IBSA Grand Prix title in 2023, followed by silver at the Asian Para Games.

Sherzod Namozov (Uzbekistan)

Sherzod Namozov, a male Para judo athlete, opens his arms — @Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images

The Rio 2016 champion and two-time world bronze medallist in the men’s -60kg is looking to reclaim the Paralympic title he lost at Tokyo 2020 in Paris.

Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games by visiting the Paris 2024 ticketing website.