New sponsor steps in to help judo star realise his paralympic dream

Global leader in decentralized renewable energy systems Ryse Energy has stepped up to sponsor Paralympian Chris Hunt Skelley MBE as he attempts to become a double medal winner at next year’s Paralympic Games as part of Paralympics GB.

The 30-year-old who lives in Wiltshire with his wife Louise and trains in the Midlands is on track to qualify to compete in the Paris2024 Paralympics in the summer of next year.

His aim is to achieve something that has not been done in more than 25 years in his sport – to get a medal in two Paralympic Games in different weight categories. Chris won gold in his sport of judo in Tokyo however his weight category has now been scrapped – and he is competing in the new +90 kg category.

“I’m so grateful to Alistair and his team at Ryse Energy for seeing something in me and for helping me to achieve my dreams. It’s tough to lead a life like this, costs are extremely high. I’m very humbled when a company like Ryse Energy invests in me.”

Ryse Energy is an impact-driven, innovative, decentralized renewable energy technology company with more than 180,000 installations across all seven continents. The company is a primary manufacturer of high-performance small wind turbines, with a range of products from micro to medium capacity. It has bases in the UK, the UAE, the USA, Spain and Sri Lanka. Its HQ is in Blackpool.

Alistair Munro is the company's founder and CEO.

He said: “Our portfolio of wind technology is the most diverse and advanced in the sector. We offer wind and solar as standalone technologies either grid-connected or off-grid with energy storage. We hybridize our wind technology with solar PV and energy storage to create bespoke and reliable solutions across a variety of sectors, from decarbonizing infrastructure such as telecoms and oil and gas to community power for rural electrification.”

Supporting Chris is also personal for Alistair who was himself a World Champion in white water canoeing in his sporting career in the 1970s and 1980s. He went on to become a coach and a mentor in his sport.

Alistair said: “Chris is an inspiration, everything about him and what he has gone through and achieved so far is incredible. In judo, there is no hiding place. It’s wonderful for Ryse Energy to be able to give back in this way to sponsor Chris – and other young talent – enabling them to have the opportunities that I once had.”

In early 2024, Chris will be competing in three grand prix judo events in Germany, Turkey and Georgia to qualify for Paris2024 and then to be seeded. During 2023, he was World No. 1 for most of the year and is currently ranked at No. 2.

“I’m so very grateful for the support of Ryse Energy and my other sponsors who enable me to compete at the highest level. I have everything to go for in 2024 and I’m determined to make every day count. None of this would be possible without the support of my wife, my family, my team and my sponsors,” Chris said.

* Ryse Energy can be found here https://www.ryse.energy