The draw for the competition took place in the SECC today as the 135 judoka from 35 nations around the Commonwealth found out who will stand in their way to medal glory.

British Judo Association President George Kerr was a special guest of the International Judo Federation and congratulated the athletes on representing their country and wished them luck.

"It's great to be here in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, it's a pleasure to see you all and there's a great amount of excitement," he said.

"Athletes have not just been selected; they have been picked because you think they can win.

"If you don't think you can win then you shouldn't be here.

"It's a great honour to represent your country,

"I think it's the finest honour someone can have.

"I hope you all represent your nation with pride and make yourself proud because we're all proud of you."

Judo made its Commonwealth Games debut in Auckland in 1990 but was not on the programme again until its last appearance at Manchester 2002.

England have been by far the dominant force in terms of gold medals, winning 22 out of 30 over the two Games.

They will be the team to beat again this time around and will be led by Olympic silver medallist Gemma Gibbons, who will be going for gold in the women's under 78 kilogramme class.

Wales' Natalie Powell is expected to provide the biggest test for Gibbons, while Canada's Ana Laura Portuondo is also expected to be a strong contender.

Wales' Natalie Powell (white) is expected to be one of the main threats to Olympic silver medallist Gemma Gibbons ©Getty Images



Baku Grand Slam winner Colin Oates is another English athlete expected to go all the way in Glasgow and he has experience of winning in the Scottish city after taking European Open gold here last year.

Oates is competing in the men's under 66kg category and will face competition from the likes of Canadian Antoine Bouchard and Ghanaian Alex Amoako.

Amoako's team mate Emmanuel Nartey is one of the stars in the men's under 73kg class.

Nartey created history by becoming Ghana's first Olympic judoka at London 2012 and will be up against the likes of fellow Olympian Danny Williams of England, while South African Jacques Van Zyl will be one to watch.

Australian medal hopes will rest mainly with the likes of Apia Oceania Open silver medallist Jake Andrewartha in the men's over 100kg, while Apia Oceania Open winner Mark Anthony will be looking for a podium spot in the men's under 90kg class.

Hosts Scotland will be looking to give the home crowd something to cheer about and the team's Flagbearer at the Games Opening Ceremony, Euan Burton, is the favourite for gold in the under 100kg category.

Euan Burton will be hoping to bow out in style when he competes for the final time in Glasgow ©AFP/Getty Images



The 35-year-old will be looking to bow out in style as he makes his final competitive appearance at the SECC, where he will be up against the likes of Trinidad and Tobago's only judo representative Christopher George.

In the men's under 60kg category, 38-year-old John Buchanan will get the backing of the home crowd, while Kimberley Renicks is the favourite in the women's lightest category the under 48kg.

Meanwhile, Connie Ramsay and Stephanie Inglis will go head to head in the under 57kg class, with Sally Conway the top seed in the under 70kg category.

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