Charlie Ayre, who competes in the men’s -60 kg category, has been named in England’s judo squad ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

He is one of 14 judoka selected to represent England at the upcoming games as the sport makes its fifth official appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

On being selected for the Commonwealth Games, 20-year-old Charlie Ayre said: “I think when we did the British Judo media and stuff, I struggled to come up with a word other than 'excited,' so just excited, really; it’s a good opportunity.”

“It’s quite a major milestone; at the start of the year, when we set our goals, one of my main objectives was to win the Commonwealth Games, as the qualification period encompasses many smaller goals; therefore, qualifying is probably as challenging as winning, if not more so, due to the level of events we’re competing in.”

England is set to debut eight judoka at this year’s Commonwealth Games, including Ayre, who is the youngest member of the squad, as they aim to maintain their status as the ‘most successful Commonwealth Games association.’

The debutants will also be joined by six returnees, including reigning champions Emma Reid (women’s -78kg) and Jamal Petgrave (men’s -90kg) at this summer’s games.

On being the youngest judoka and his career so far ahead of Glasgow 2026, Middlesbrough-born Ayre said:

“When I started training full time, a group of us came in on a trial period; some were selected, and others were not. However, those of us who were selected have spent the past few years in an under-23s group, competing together, while certain individuals have been moved into the senior programme.”

“So the past few years don't feel like they've come too soon because it’s been a gradual buildup, obviously, even when I was at home training, but definitely going full-time has been a massive help in terms of picking up more results.” 

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Ayre has already had a range of successes this year, which includes winning silver at the Sofia European Open in January 2026.

April 2026 also saw him make his match-winning senior European Championships debut, in which he reached the round of 16 after defeating Hungary’s Marton Andrasi.

On his 2026 season so far, Ayre said: “I think it definitely shows an upwards trajectory over the past year or two, as I’ve been full-time at the National Centre for two years now, so it’s nice to see that everything is going like that.”

“But the goal is to start to medal at these events instead of just being selected, and Olympic qualification has just started for Judo today (19th June), so it will be nice over the next two years to carry on that trajectory and start picking up some medals at major championships."

Due to his successes recently, which include becoming the 2025 Birmingham Junior European Cup champion, he is currently ranked number 1 for British Judo’s men's -60 kg category.

He is also ranked in the top 100 of the world rankings in the same category, currently at 96, with 309 points.

On his current rankings, Ayre said, "It's nice; domestically I think I’ve won the British Championships at every age group now, so to sort of carry that on and be ranked number one domestically is obviously very important.”

“However, I believe that international rankings are what truly matter, so my goal is to participate in high-level events as much as possible and continue to advance in the world rankings.”

At the end of this month, from June 26th to 28th, Ayre will compete in his next and only competition before the Commonwealth Games, as he travels to China for the Qingdao Grand Prix.

He will then turn his attention to the Commonwealth Games, as he and the rest of England’s judo squad will look to add to England’s medal tally, which currently stands at 55 Commonwealth medals.

On his plans ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Ayre said, "We've got quite a big training block before; we’re flying to China to compete, and then we’re in Japan for two and a half weeks for a training camp, and then there’s a set training camp in Kendall. So I suppose I’m looking forward to, especially the holding camp in Kendall, being away as a group and being around people who have medalled at the Commonwealth Games before and who are loaded with other experience at different events.”

“We’ve got only the competition in China before the Commonwealth Games, but the goal is to start picking up World Tour medals, as there are a few competitions after the Commonwealth Games that are also World Tour events. I believe the goal will always be to win whatever competition I’m in, but I definitely want to secure a medal in China.”

Over 160 judoka will compete across 14 medal events during the final three days, Friday 31st July – Sunday 2nd August, of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

On Friday, Charlie Ayre and the rest of the men's -60 kg judoka will compete for the gold medal, with the medal contests scheduled for the second judo session of the day.