Tokyo 2020: Team Ireland profiles - Ben Fletcher (Judo)

Back from broken leg with Tokyo in his sights

Ben Fletcher. Photograph: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Ben Fletcher. Photograph: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Age: 29

Event: Men's 100kg.

Club: Pinewood Judo Club

Younger brother of fellow team member Megan, and a former world junior bronze medal winner when representing the UK, he has represented Ireland since 2017, starting in 2018 by winning gold at the Tunis Grand Prix, the first Irish judoka to ever win an World Tour event. In February 2021, he broke his leg in two places in competition in Israel, yet he has managed to return in time for his second Olympic Games. He competed for Great Britain in Rio where he finished 17th. This is the first time Irish athletes will be competing in both male and female judo events.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics