Jack Hodgson '˜incredibly proud' to represent Great Britain after Rio 2016 selection

The 19-year-old and former Queen Elizabeth’s High School student will compete in the +100kg category as part of an experienced squad named by British Paralympic Association (BPA).

Hodgson has only recently returned from the German Open where he claimed a silver medal for British Judo VI and holds hope of tasting yet more podium success in Brazil at the Games.

He said: “I’m incredibly proud to be selected to ParalympicsGB for Rio 2016 and I’d like to thank everyone for their incredible support up to this point.

“This is a great moment for us to enjoy as athletes, particularly because we know how much work it’s taken to reach this point, but now we’ll return to training more focussed than ever on our preparations for the Games.”

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Hodgson suffers from a rare genetic disorder named Ushers Syndrome but it has not held him back. Among his achievements in judo he won bronze at the 2015 European Championships.

His mum, Nicky, added: “It’s a fantastic moment for any parent and more than we could have ever wished for. He’s done fantastically well and is a big achievement.

“He is impaired both with hearing and visually but it’s not held him back. He’s very outgoing and ambitious and we can now look forward to Rio.”

Hodgson is joined by fellow judoka and Paralympic bronze and silver medallist Sam Ingram (Coventry), and Paralympic debutants Jonathan Drane (Norwich) and Chris Skelley (Hull) as the first athletes selected for Rio 2016 this year.