Judoka Max Gregory is heading to the Commonwealth Games full of confidence after battling back from a long standing back injury to finally earn his place in Team England colours.
The Drake Judo Club fighter enjoyed a strong 2025 season, picking up medals at European Opens and European Cups, before carrying that form into 2026 with a career best seventh place finish at the Dushanbe Grand Slam in May, a run that included a stunning win over Tajikistan’s, Dzhakhongir Madzhidov.
That result and a season of steady progress earned Max selection to represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, four years after injury denied him a debut at Birmingham 2022.
Competing in the men’s under-100kg category, Max goes into the tournament as one of the field’s contenders and will face a strong international line up. There is also the possibility of an intriguing contest against his regular British training partner, Oliver Barratt, who will represent Wales.
Max is relishing the challenge ahead and believes he has what it takes to reach the top of the podium.
“I’m currently the No. 4 seed and genuinely believe I can bring home a gold medal,” he told the Post,
After overcoming a lengthy injury lay off to finally realise a childhood ambition, Plymouth’s judoka will be hoping to carry his momentum onto the mat in Glasgow and challenge for a place on the podium.
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