Tbilisi, Georgia – British judoka Tatum Keen achieved a significant milestone in her career this weekend, claiming a silver medal at the prestigious Tbilisi Grand Slam. The result marks Keen’s first medal on the IJF World Tour, solidifying her position as a rising star in the -52kg category.
The 22-year-old judoka, representing the Bradley Stoke Judo Club, demonstrated composure and skill throughout the competition, building on a fifth-place finish at the Grand Prix Upper Austria in Linz. Keen’s performance in Tbilisi showcased her growth and potential on the international stage, culminating in a thrilling final against a seasoned opponent.
Keen’s journey to the final began with a decisive victory in the Round of 16 against Elene Gvazava of Georgia. She secured the win by ippon, demonstrating effective groundwork control. In the quarter-final, Keen faced Sita Kadamboeva of Uzbekistan, an experienced Grand Slam medallist. She quickly established control, scoring a waza-ari within the first two minutes and managing the remainder of the contest to secure her place in the semi-final.
The semi-final saw Keen pitted against Pauline Cuq of France. She took an early lead with a waza-ari and maintained her advantage through a tense exchange, earning her a spot in the final – a step up from her previous bronze medal contest appearance in Austria. The final presented a formidable challenge in the form of Blandine Pont of France, a multiple-time Grand Slam and Grand Prix medallist, and a European Championships silver medallist.
A Hard-Fought Final
The final bout against Pont proved to be a closely contested affair. Despite a valiant effort, Keen was narrowly defeated by a single yuko score, securing the silver medal. Even as falling short of gold, the result represents a major breakthrough for the young British judoka.
“It’s a huge milestone I’ve been chasing to achieve, and I’m really proud to have come away with a medal,” Keen said, reflecting on her accomplishment. “The work I’ve been putting in during training showed on competition day, which was really encouraging and gave me confidence in what I’m building. It’s given me extra motivation to push for bigger results, while reinforcing that I’m on the right track and to keep trusting my journey. Getting the medal so soon after narrowly missing out at the Austria Grand Prix made it even more special.”
Strong Performances Across the British Squad
While Keen’s silver was the sole podium finish for Great Britain in Tbilisi, other British athletes delivered strong performances. Acelya Toprak (Camberley JC) finished fifth in her category, reaching the bronze medal contest before being narrowly edged out by her opponent by a single yuko. This result marks Toprak’s best performance of 2026 to date.
Emma Reid (Redbridge JC) also secured a fifth-place finish in the -78kg category, achieving her best result of the year in her third World Tour appearance of 2026. The world number five progressed to the bronze medal contest, her first final block appearance since claiming bronze at the Qingdao Grand Prix in September.
The British Judo team demonstrated depth and progress throughout the weekend, with several athletes showcasing their potential on the world stage.
What’s Next for Keen and the British Judo Team?
Tatum Keen’s silver medal in Tbilisi signals a promising future for the young judoka. Her performance underscores the effectiveness of the training program at the British Judo National Training Centre and positions her as a contender for future international success. The team will now focus on continued training and preparation for upcoming competitions, building on the positive momentum generated in Tbilisi. Fans can stay updated on the latest news and results by visiting the British Judo latest news section and following their official social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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