Visually-impaired judoka Chris Hunt Skelley feels coming through more tough challenges on the road to the 2024 Paralympic Games can only make him stronger for the battles ahead as he targets another gold in Paris.
Hunt Skelley’s tears of joy after winning the men’s B2 under-100kg final three years ago became one of the most memorable moments in Tokyo.
Following reclassifications for the next Paralympic cycles, the 31-year-old will now be competing in the over-90kgs division of the J2 category.
The changes saw Hunt Skelley going up against close friend Jack Hodgson for a place on the ParalympicsGB squad, which was announced on Monday.
Hunt Skelley admits it has been a difficult situation to deal with but feels it can only serve to stand him in good stead for when he takes to the Tatami again in France.
“It has not been easy at all. Hard choices have to be made,” Hunt Skelley told the PA news agency.
“It is tough when you are fighting one of your closest friends, you are Godfather to his child, it is not easy to do.
“We have been together on this team for a long time. We had a really tough chat and discussion when we knew this was going to happen.
“It is not easy because he is my best mate and I care for him but that is sport sometimes and that tough stuff has to be done.”
Hunt Skelley added: “We have got through together and he is going to come out to Paris to be the best training partner he can be for me.
“I am very lucky to have a really good mate like that, who will stand by me and he is one of the strongest people I know.”
Hunt Skelley will head to Paris having been fourth in the world rankings, and feels he has put in enough hard yards to again be in medal contention.
“It is going to be a tough challenge – there are no easy fights in this category,” said the British judoka, who won bronze at the 2023 IBSA European Championships in Rotterdam.
“You have just got to be confident that you have done all the work and push yourself.
“I have worked really hard to change some of my judo, to be a bigger thrower than just to rely on my ne-waza (ground techniques).
“I am looking forward to the different people I am going to be fighting and I love a challenge.”
In 2022, Hunt Skelley married Louise, the couple having met at the Rio Paralympics where his future wife was part of the wheelchair tennis squad.
He credits her as his “biggest supporter” and someone who “can get through to me when I am being a bit stubborn”.
Hunt Skelley, taking a double-barrelled surname after getting married, has lived with the genetic condition ocular albinism since birth.
A decline in his vision at the age of 17 forced him to abandon a potential career as a mechanic and also playing rugby.
Having been introduced to judo as a child at a local judo club in Hull, Hunt Skelley believes the Japanese martial art has helped channel his frustrations into a positive mindset.
“I still had lots of self doubt and anxiety because of what I was put through, so it has been a huge, huge fight,” said Hunt Skelley, who now requires sunglasses, special lenses and is learning to use a cane.
“But where I am now is the most confident I have been in myself, not just as a judo fighter, but as a person – and a person living with a disability.
“I have had a lot of dark moments in my life where I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on and I came through that a strong person.
“This year has been very tough for me, going back into that tough place mentally. I think I have come through stronger and more ready to go in and try to do my best at the Games.”