Judo: High five for Capital judoka in GB team

FIVE of the 14-strong judo squad picked to represent Great Britain at the London Olympics are based in Edinburgh.

British Judo performance director Daniel Lascau has named his party, with Euan Burton (-81kg), Christopher Sherrington (+100kg), James Austin (-100kg), Sally Conway (-70kg) and Sarah Clark (-57kg) all living in the Capital.

Half-middleweight Burton, 33, is one of the leading hopes in an expanded squad after the British Olympic Association finally ratified Home Nation places across all seven weight divisions for men and women. He is eager to deliver success in London following a disappointing early exit from the Beijing Games.

“Being selected to Team GB for the London Olympic Games is a fantastic honour,” said Burton. “As a judoka, it is the chance to make sporting history and become our first judo Olympic champion.”

England-based Kelly Edwards (-48kg), Sophie Cox (-52kg), Gemma Howell (-63kg), Gemma Gibbons (-78kg), Karina Bryant (+78kg), Ashley McKenzie (-60kg), Colin Oates (-66kg), Daniel Williams (-73kg) and Winston Gordon (-90kg) make up the rest of the squad.