Chris Skelley MBE
Beyond the Podium: The Mindset of a Champion
Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, has been a World Number 1 many times in his sport and is the reigning Paralympic Judoka Champion after winning gold in his weight class at Tokyo 2020. It's been a long way from finding out he was going blind to being the best in the world at his sport. Chris was born in Nottingham but moved to Hull when he was five years old. A shy child, his parents encouraged him to take up sports. He took up rugby and judo, as both sports are perfect for someone who finds it difficult to talk to others. Although initially it took Chris out of his comfort zone, he made loads of friends and this helped shaped his personality today.
Chris had eye problems when he was young, but it wasn’t until he was 19 when his condition was actually diagnosed. He spent a lot of his life not being believed when he said his eyesight was not good. At one point he was even put into a psychiatric unit briefly due to health professionals not believing him about his condition which didn’t have a name or label for a long time.
Since competing, he has won a number of medals, including being crowned European Champion, has won two World Championship bronze medals, for five years he has won Silver Medals at the IBSA World Cup events, as well as becoming ranked world number 1 in the 100kg category, and he won gold at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and most recently bronze in Paris 2024 – a dream come true for this humble man.
Presenting at the following Great British Expos locations;