Cadby & Morgan-Kelly Shine as British Kata Continues to Rise
British Judo continues to make waves on the European stage, with Ev Cadby delivering an inspiring performance alongside partner Kai Morgan-Kelly at the recent European Judo Union Kata event in Radom, Poland.
Cadby and Morgan-Kelly secured a standout result, earning Gold in Ju-no-Kata in France prior to their arrival in Poland, where they continued their momentum with another strong showing, claiming Silver on the day. Their achievements mark a significant milestone as British Judo’s first EJU Kata Series medallists, underlining the growing strength of kata within both the Welsh Judo Association and the British Judo Association.
We recently caught up with Cadby to hear more about her judo journey and what brought her to the sport.
Cadby’s judo journey began at just eight years old, inspired by her younger brother who had taken up the sport to build confidence and make friends. Wanting to be part of the same experience, she followed in his footsteps — a decision that would shape her future.
Now 18 and a 1st Dan black belt, Cadby balances her sporting ambitions with studying Motorsport Engineering at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Away from the tatami, she enjoys rock climbing and works as a receptionist at a chiropractic clinic — a testament to her dedication both on and off the mat.
Remarkably, Cadby only began practising kata five months ago after moving to Wales and joining Samurai Judo Club. Encouraged by her partner Kai Morgan-Kelly, she embraced the opportunity to explore a new dimension of judo.
“I wasn’t really aware of many kata beyond Nage-no-Kata,” she explains. “When I saw there was a class, I was so excited to learn more.”
That curiosity quickly translated into success.
“Kata has so many small details — even when you think you understand it, there are always more layers,” Cadby says. “But when everything comes together, it’s such a beautiful thing — it just flows.”
For young judoka, one of judo’s greatest strengths is its global community.
“You can go to clubs all around the world and you already share a mutual language through judo,” she says.
Alongside her competitive ambitions, she has also found a passion for teaching, particularly within kata, where precision and understanding are key.
“I love training hard and constantly improving, but recently I’ve really enjoyed passing on what I’ve learned.”
She is a strong advocate for both judo and kata, encouraging others to get involved.
“To anyone thinking about starting judo — it’s more than just a sport. You’ll make lifelong friends and gain opportunities you never imagined.”
And for those already on the judo pathway:
“Kata is such a strong foundation. It really solidifies the fundamentals and can only make your judo better.”
Cadby and Morgan-Kelly’s success in Radom represents more than just medals — it signals the continued growth of kata within British Judo. Their achievements are helping to inspire a new generation of judoka to explore this technical and artistic side of the sport.
With their rapid rise and clear passion, this is only the beginning for the pair, as they continue to push British kata onto the international stage.
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