Fletcher siblings write history for Ireland in Tel Aviv

Two medals for Ireland in one weekend at the inaugural Tel Aviv Grand Prix. A unique and amazing performance for the small judo country. Both Megan and Ben Fletcher medalled in a unique weekend. At almost 30 years old Megan Fletcher, now of Ireland, has numerous titles to her name, from Commonwealth Champion to British Champion, but that step up to the IJF Tour rostrum has been a long time coming, requiring persistence no-one could have expected.

Being in full time training for 11 years and having been a member of the GB team alongside friend, Olympic bronze medalist, Sally Conway, vying for position was always challenging.

Megan’s big little brother Ben has medalled at this level before, taking 3 Grand Prix medals in the last year, all for Ireland. His success compounds Megan’s joy and she talks of how wonderful it is to share the highs and lows with family in this way.

Irish history

On becoming only the third Irish judoka in history to medal at a Grand Prix Megan says, “I’ve felt capable at this level for a long time but without the medal in my hand I have doubted myself. Always nearly there but I haven’t been able to make that final step to the podium. It’s six years since my first World Cup medal and since then I’ve been able to beat one or two highly ranked players in a day but not keep it going through the final block.”

Psychologically it’s tough facing friends when so much can be at stake and Megan, an unassuming school teacher, has been willing to do what it takes but always with a sadness that someone has to lose. Her move to Ireland in 2017 via her mother’s family heritage has proven to be the best solution. Now Megan concentrates on technical and tactical development, staying injury-free and planning the competitive calendar around Olympic qualification. It’s fair to say this is Megan’s last chance and so it’s all in for the final leg, as full points qualification approaches.

Ciaran Ward

Only 8 Irish judoka have medalled on the international stage before, at Continental Open or better, the first being Ciaran Ward, in Austria in 1991. Ciaran is now Irish National Coach and in tandem with Juergen Klinger at Megan’s current training venue, Team Bath, he provides that perfect coaching team for Megan to jump up to the IJF podium level.

Megan continues to speak about how much the medal in Tel Aviv means, recalling how in 2016 she had to face the prospect of possibly never doing Judo again, suffering a long term back injury. Recovery was long and far from comfortable but she is beating the odds and continuing to improve.

Don Werner

“The stress of trying to qualify in Rio had a big impact on my health and on my recovery from injury, but I’ve always believed in the process and have had the incredible luck to work with coaches I trust, who kept believing in me too. Don (Werner) taught me how to train. Juergen changed so much for me for the next step up. I’ve been really lucky with what Don gave to me. It will never leave me. Juergen and Ciaran together as a team now is the perfect combination for me in the modern international context.”

Both will fight at the Grand Slam in Paris in 10 days’ time.

Read the full article by Jo Crowley here.

Medals for Ireland in the IJF World Tour

2015 Lisa Kearney - Samsun GP - bronze

2018 Ben Fletcher - Tunis GP - GOLD

2018 Ben Fletcher - Düsseldorf GS - silver

2018 Ben Fletcher - Antalya GP - bronze

2019 Megan Fletcher - Tel Aviv GP - bronze

2019 Ben Fletcher - Tel Aviv GP - silver