From Mat to Medals – Alfie’s Rise in Judo

The RAF Central Fund continues to play a vital role in supporting athletes across a wide range of sports, helping them pursue excellence while proudly representing the Service. 

Following a spectacular performance at the recent British Judo Championships, where he claimed gold in the junior -66kg category and bronze in the senior -66kg division, we had the pleasure of sitting down with one of RAF Judo’s brightest young stars, AS1 Alfie Mitchell, to explore his passion for the sport. 

At just 19 years old, Alfie is already a six-time British champion, an RAF athlete, and an international gold medallist. His journey into elite judo began long before he donned a military uniform, from his early days on the tatami to representing his country on the international stage. 

“Judo runs in our family; as soon as I could crawl, I was on the mat! I was influenced at a young age by my dad, who runs a club and has been involved in the sport since he was a child. That early exposure quickly turned into a real passion. I started entering competitions as young as six, beginning with local events, and as I grew older, the level of competition naturally increased. 

Being able to continue my sport within a professional career was a massive benefit to joining the RAF, and in turn, being in the RAF has given me an advantage in my judo career. It has allowed me to develop as an athlete by providing access to top-level training facilities while working in a job I enjoy, giving me the freedom to compete across Europe in the sport I love.  

Competing alongside a tight-knit RAF judo team really pushes me to perform at my best, and the camaraderie and support during training help me progress consistently. 

There have been many highlights of my sporting career so far; one that stands out is my recent British Championship title win. After losing the title in the 2024 final, I felt I had something to prove going into the 2025 event. I regained my title in a tense final against a very tough opponent, and it was even more special because my younger sister, Evie, also won the British Championship on the same day!  

Family is incredibly important to me, and I take a lot of inspiration from my dad. He has always been a strong role model, both as a coach and a father. Whether it’s giving me specific judo advice, teaching me how to handle the emotions that come with high-level competition, or driving me hours up and down the country for training.  

Among several fond memories, winning two gold medals in Sweden in April 2025 is at the top of the list. Beyond the results, this trip was unforgettable because of the friendships that develop at events like these, bringing athletes together through a shared passion. I came away with both the under-21 and senior titles and many meaningful connections. 

Sport in the RAF is a supportive environment, and having a charity such as the RAF Central Fund is incredibly important, not just in easing the financial burden of high-level competition through grant funding, but also in enabling me to attend training camps. These camps have given me the opportunity to train with some of the best fighters in the world, which has been invaluable in expanding my experience and developing my skills. 

Something I would say to younger athletes in combat sports, especially judo, is that just because you’re from a country that is not usually at the top of your sport, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be. Hard work and consistency are what determines how good you are, not where you come from. I would highly encourage anyone that has a chance to do sport in the RAF to go for it – you never know what you’ll find, a sport you really enjoy or even one you’re quite good at!”

Train like you’ve never won.
Fight like you’ve never lost.

AS1 Alfie Mitchell- RAF Brize Norton

Interested in getting started yourself? Find out more about RAF Judo.