Meet Chris – Paralympic Judo Champion & Grappling Coach in Swindon
Judo Coach at Swindon Grappling Academy
Christopher Skelley MBE is a Paralympic judo champion and elite-level grappling coach at Swindon Grappling Academy in South Marston. He brings world-class experience, resilience, and a high-performance mindset to every session he delivers.
Chris is best known for winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in judo, a result of years of discipline, training, and overcoming adversity. Having lost his sight at a young age, he has developed exceptional balance, timing, and body awareness - skills that translate directly into judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coaching.
Paralympic Judo Experience & Elite Mindset
Chris’s approach to judo and grappling is built on resilience, adaptability, and elite-level competition experience. As a Paralympic gold medallist, he understands what it takes to perform under pressure at the highest level.
His coaching focuses on strong fundamentals, smart movement, and developing confidence through structured training.
What It’s Like to Train with Chris
Training with Chris offers a unique approach to judo and grappling:
Clear, simple coaching focused on fundamentals
Adaptive learning built around feel, timing, and awareness
Strong emphasis on balance, control, and pressure
Insight into elite-level training and mindset
His sessions are structured, motivating, and accessible for all levels.
More Than Just Judo
For Chris, judo and grappling are about more than competition. They are tools for building resilience, confidence, and self-belief.
His journey shows that limitations can be overcome with the right mindset and training environment. He is passionate about helping students grow stronger both physically and mentally through judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Why Train With Chris
Start Your Judo & BJJ Journey in Swindon
If you’re looking to start judo in Swindon or improve your grappling through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Chris offers a supportive and engaging training environment for all levels.
