The judo competition at the Commonwealth Games brought together athletes from 45 nations, with England finishing top of the medal table after securing four gold medals. Canada placed second in a tight contest, matching the gold tally but trailing overall. India finished third with two golds, followed by Cyprus in fourth place.
England’s gold medals were won by Acelya Torrak, Kelly Peterson Pollard, Emma Reid and Ethan Nairne. Canada also impressed, with Evelyn Heaton, Laurence Biron, Julien Frascadore and Kyle Reyes all claiming gold.
A key highlight of the event was the presence of International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer, who attended the competition and took part in medal ceremonies. Vizer was joined in Glasgow by IJF Secretary General Lisa Allan, underlining the federation’s growing interest in the Commonwealth platform.
Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, welcomed the IJF delegation and reflected on the circumstances that brought the event to Glasgow following Australia’s withdrawal as host. He emphasised the importance of athlete experience and delivery standards across the Games.
Lisa Allan and Donald Rukare
“We are seeing world-class judo and strong collaboration between federation leaders, particularly here with Mr Vizer. It is essential that athletes across the Commonwealth enjoy their experience and feel that everything has been done to support their performance,” Rukare said.
Beyond the top four nations, New Zealand, Mauritius and Malaysia each secured one gold medal to feature among the leading teams.
Judo first appeared in the Commonwealth Games as an optional sport at the 1990 edition in Auckland. In recent years, sustained efforts by IJF leadership have helped strengthen its position, contributing to its recognition as a core sport within the Games programme.
First held in 1930 as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada, the Commonwealth Games have evolved into a major multi-sport event. A defining feature remains the shared use of English among participating nations, alongside a programme that includes both Olympic sports and disciplines such as cricket, netball and rugby sevens.
The presence of senior IJF leadership in Glasgow highlights a broader strategic effort to reinforce judo’s role within major multi-sport events and expand its reach across Commonwealth nations.
Last related articles
