Ashley McKenzie is returning straight back to the mat after securing bronze at the European Judo Championships as one of four Brits at the Baku Grand Slam.
McKenzie claimed Britain’s sole medal at the Europeans in the -60kg category in Hungary – the performance the best result of the 23-year-old’s career to date.
He will be joined at the IJF World Tour event in Azerbaijan by Sally Conway, Louise Renicks and Tom Davis – all who fought at the Europeans.
Like McKenzie, Conway represented Britain at the London 2012 Olympics last summer and will fight in the -70kg category with Renicks in the -52kg and Davis in the -81kg.
All four will be looking to secure a place at the ‘top 16 only’ IJF Masters event in Tyumen at the end of the month with British Judo performance director Nigel Donohue upbeat.
“The Grand Slam in Baku is the final ranking event before the Tyumen Masters and there’s a lot of ranking points on offer,” said Donohue.
“Hopefully Ashley will be able to carry the momentum from his result at the Europeans and pick up a medal in Azerbaijan, whilst I know that Sally Conway will be looking to prove what she’s capable of following her early exit in Budapest.
“All of the athletes have an opportunity to make a jump up the world ranking list and they’ll be aiming for the top-16 placing that will book them a place at the IJF Masters at the end of the month.”
© Sportsbeat 2013