Having lost out to home favourite Christopher Sherrington in the men’s over 100 kilogram final at last year’s Commonwealth Games, Snyman said that he would have a tough decision to make on returning to his native South Africa.

And now, more than a year after the completion of the showpiece event in the Scottish city, he has confirmed he is turning his attention away from judo, even though the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are fast approaching.

"I decided to give judo up for now…swotting is a priority and it was also time for a bit of a change," he told Road to Rio 2016.

"Financial backing and support were also just not really forthcoming nationally which made it even more difficult.

"I’m sure I’ll be back to doing judo though…a person stays mad about this sport but I’m just not sure if I’ll be able to be as serious as I was.

"I’m now swotting mechanical engineering and expect to finish in 2017."

Snyman’s sister and fellow judoka Unelle, winner of the women’s under 78kg gold medal at last year’s African Youth Games in Botswana’s capital Gaborone, has also moved onto pastures new.

The 19-year-old, who represented her country at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, has accepted a bursary from the University of Pretoria’s TuksNetball, despite receiving offers from within judo.

"I’ve just decided to focus on netball for now but will probably go back to judo some time," she told Road to Rio 2016.

"During the year I played for the young side [under 21s] at Tuks.

"But then after Shadine van der Merwe and Ivette Lubbe’s injuries I was included in the Varsity Cup side.

"It was very tough going but it was definitely time to switch focus for a change."

South Africa have yet to win an Olympic medal in judo.

Gideon van Zyl competed in the men's under 73kg category at London 2012, but suffered defeat at the hands of Azerbaijan's Rustam Orujov in the second round. 



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