Cooke aims for mat finish

Edinburgh judo player Richard Cooke jets off to Athens tomorrow to take part in the biggest sporting event in the world this year.

The 21-year-old and Glasgow teenager Alexander Ferrier will represent Britain at the Special Needs World Summer Games which get under way next weekend. Just like the Olympics, the Games take place every four years and will use the same facilities as the 2004 Olympics.

Cooke is the British under-90kg champion with international wins to his name. The black belt and first Dan has been training at Ratho with coach Frank Taylor and 2012 Olympic hopefuls such as world bronze medallist Euan Burton. Cooke has also found time to raise 2000 to help pay for his trip to Greece.