In Astana a team of 5 athletes were registered, among them Paralympic silver medallist Dan Powell, who was poised to fight on day 2. On day one though, two 25 year old men were putting themselves to the test. Neither had won a world medal before but both knew it was possible.
Miles Soloman first engaged with judo at university, only 6 years ago. Evan Molloy began in 2013 on the back of the London Games. He said, “I wanted to do a sport to be able to get fit enjoyably. I tried judo among other sports. I absolutely loved it straight away and travelled a lot with my dad finding all the competitions I could; they were always sighted events. I competed in the British Championships at cadet and senior level even. A few years down the line, a club mate of mine from Devizes Judo Club introduced me to one of the British VI coaches and it all moved really fast from there.”
Miles and Evan each won a bronze on day one in Astana, a very special benchmark for both, their first IBSA world medals.
When asked why they were able to take a world medal on that particular day, Evan said, “To get better we have had to train out of our comfort zone. I moved to the National Training Centre in 2017 and it felt like being thrown in at the deep end. I was with Chris Skelley and others and so I was forced to get better, pushed every day on a whole new trajectory. This year we have been to Tata and Nymburk OTC’s and we have therefore had the opportunity to train with some of the best judoka in the world. I was doing randori with the likes of Denis Vieru and they really understood that we are capable of working at that level.”
Miles added, “I always say that my mindset is one focused on active learning. I give myself goals, for example learning juji-gatame. For that I sought out someone who does it at a good level, learned it, practised it and added it to my skill base. I always try to find the people with expertise in each area and that helps me get better all the time.”
Evan continued, “Winning a world medal is a massive sign showing how hard we have been working. It hasn’t been easy for me. This is my 5th world level event and I have finally been able to get over the line. The competitive Para environment of the sport isn’t as easy as it looks. Qualifying for Paris spurred me on so much and I’ve been totally committed to what I need to do to improve.”
“It’s the jump up,” explained Miles, “I’m now able to beat the right people, I am beating some of the top guys. From this point on, when the draw comes out and they see they’re in a pool with Soloman, they will know they have a challenge ahead of them and I like that. Being where I am now, it’s a new feeling.
We have to fight in sighted competitions a lot at home and I believe the breadth of our development comes, in part, from being able to fight so often. Fighting sighted judoka is really different but it is always a surprise for them more than for us.
Oxford Judo is my club and I’m looking forward to taking the medal back to show them. I coach there as well as train. Sometimes I’m underestimated and I think this world medal adds legitimacy to the work I’m doing and the goals I’m setting. I’m goal driven and do everything to meet them.”
Evan closed the interview perfectly, “We are surrounded by other committed individuals among the staff who just want us to do well. Johnsy, Prekky, Chris and others are getting us to tip top condition. We want to do well for ourselves but also for that selfless team around us.”
There is a lot of energy in the British VI team but it was tangible before these medals arrived; it is likely to be the reason for these medals being won. These two first-timers are over-the-moon with their achievement but they are in agreement that this was not the destination but the launchpad.