Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Judo

By Steven Oldham

Judo is making only its third appearance at the Commonwealth Games since debuting in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Dropped until 2002, judo fans have had to wait another twelve years for it to return to the programme due to it's status as an optional sport, and it will be dropped again for the Gold Coast Games in 2018, where basketball will return instead.

Despite an on-and-off love affair with the Commonwealths, it's proved a hit with Scottish fans as there are no tickets left for judo events in Glasgow.

WHEN?

The judo competition is one of the first to finish, running from July 24-26, with medal events on all three days of competition. 

WHERE?

Judo is one of six sports to be held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

WHO?

Given that it's twelve years since the last Commonwealth tournament, it's probably more relevant to look at more recent competitions.

Gemma Gibbons was one of the surprise stars of London 2012 when she won silver for Great Britain in the half-heavyweight division. Representing England at the Commonwealths, she will be looking to improve on her performance at the world championships last year where she was eliminated in the pool stages. Cheered on by a British crowd she could be one to watch.

Someone who will be watching Gemma's match closely is husband Euan Burton, who is now a Team GB and Scotland veteran, and is retiring this summer. A multiple world and European bronze medallist, he is the most successful member of Britain's judo team in history and few would begrudge him a Commonwealth medal to add to his collection.

The only other Commonwealth nation to medal at the last Olympics was Canada. They've also won two golds and an impressive 18 medals in the previous two Commonwealths so will surely be near the top of the leaderboard again.

LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...

• Someone who practices the sport is called a judoka
• Judo originated in Japan in the 19th century
• The aim is to throw or takedown your opponent or make them submit.
• There are seven weight categories each for men and women so there are 14 gold medals available
• To win a contest, you either have to successfully complete an ippon - a throw that takes down your opponent with authority - this ends the contest - or two waza-ari - throws that land the opponent on their  back but with less force. The least valuable throws are ones that land your opponent on their side - a yuko - and these never finish contests. Ties that finish level are resolved by golden score - or sudden death.

CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?

Sadly not. For the latest ticket information click here.

Can Gemma Gibbons repeat her Olympic success?
(telegraph.co.uk)