Judo: Horton and Askin become Commonwealth medallists

Manx duo secure gold and silver in Malta

Two Isle of Man judo competitors have enjoyed medal success at the 2024 Commonwealth Judo Championships.

Competing at the annual event, held in Malta last weekend, Chris Horton and Sean Askin managed to scoop three medals between them during the four-day tournament.

Askin got the Manx pairing off to the best possible start as he claimed gold in the M1 Veterans category at u90kg weight.

An opening victory up against England's Shargeel Akhtar was followed by a win in the final against Welshman Ken Harris who was eventually disqualified during the match-up after picking up numerous penalties.

Elsewhere, Horton would go on to claim to silver medals in both categories he took part in.

The first of those came in the M3 Veterans u100kg where the man from Peel recovered from defeat to Paul Cooper of England to get the better of Scotland's Anthony Daye in the silver/bronze medal playoff.

Horton's second medal then came in the Newaza Veterans u100kg as he again shrugged off a loss against Dave Bostock-Smith of England to emerge victorious in the silver/bronze playoff against Englishmen Martin Barrie.

Both Horton and Askin are now seeking financial assistance to compete at the World Veterans Championships in November - any company looking to discuss sponsorship is asked to contact iomjudo@gmail.com.