CHELSIE Giles is now the world’s number one ranked judoka in the -52kg category after the latest International Judo Federation rankings were released.
Giles is the second British judoka to currently top the world rankings along with -63kg judoka Lucy Renshall.
The Coventry athlete has won medals at the World and European Championships as well as the Olympic Games.
Giles said: “It’s amazing to be world number one. It’s great to see all the years of hard work in training paying off.
“I have to say a massive thanks to the support team around me, as I would not be here without them helping me.
“I am always looking to reach higher goals, so whilst I am so happy to have achieved this, I am already looking forward towards the final competition of the year – the Judo World Masters.”
Giles won gold at the European Championships in Sofia in April earlier this year and backed up that performance with silver at the World Championships in Tashkent last month.
She won Olympic bronze in Tokyo last year, Team GB’s first medal of the Games, in what has been a medal-laden three years for the Coventry judoka.
British Judo Senior Women’s Performance Coach, Jamie Johnson added: “A huge congratulations to
Chelsie on becoming British Judo’s latest world number one.
“To have two judoka at the top of the world rankings is outstanding. The performances we see today are a result of years of hard work and dedication by the entire team both on and off the mat.
“It is that consistency over the years that has led to this moment. I have to say a huge thank you to the support team that have helped Chelsie, and Lucy, in achieving this achievement.
“From the backing of the National Lottery and UK Sport to the team at the University of Wolverhampton for giving the team access to world-class training facilities that enable our judoka to achieve incredible performances consistently.”
British Judo Performance Director, Nigel Donohue said: “Following last week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Slam gold medal-winning performance, Lucy Renshall retained her world no.1 status and today, following the updated IJF world rankings, we now have a second GB judoka in the British Judo Olympic programme ranked No.1 in the world, in Chelsie Giles.
“Chelsie never ceases to amaze. A European, World and Olympic medallist and now world no1. To be ranked world number 1 in your chosen sport is a fantastic achievement and we are all extremely proud of both Lucy and Chelsie for achieving this incredible milestone.
“Both the -52kg and -63kg weight categories are arguably the most fiercely competitive weight categories in world judo at the moment, so for Chelsie and Lucy to have the success they have had at this stage of their careers, is a testament to their dedication and hard work and all the hard work of the British Judo staff that support the team day in, day out.
“The challenge now for Chelsie and Lucy is to retain this ranking throughout the Paris Olympic qualification cycle, though if past performances are anything to go by, I have no doubt that they will only continue to improve and lead their respective weight categories.”
