The draw for the 2012 Olympic Games Judo competition threw up a number of challenging first round contest for Team GB’s judo athletes in their quest for GB’s first judo gold medal.

In the women’s -48kg, Kelly Edwards has a bye first contest followed by a meeting with either top seed and former World Champion Tomoko Fukumi (JPN) or 2009 World Silver medallist Oiana Blanco (ESP).

The men’s -60kg also sees a bye for Ashley McKenzie, followed by a tough first contest against 2nd seed and 2011 World silver medallist Hiroaki Hiraoka (JPN), the first time the pair will have met.

Sophie Cox opens in the women’s -52kg category against Kum Ae An (PRK), 2008 Bejing Olympic Silver Medallist. 

At -66kg, Colin Oates has a bye first round, before facing Ivo Dos Santos (AUS).

Women’s -57kg sees Sarah Clark’s first meeting with 4th seed and 2012 European bronze medallist Automne Pavia (FRA).

In the men’s -73kg Daniel Williams gets a first round bye then meets 2008 Bejing Olympic bronze medallist Rasul Boqiev (TJK).

Gemma Howell takes on one of the favourites in the women’s -63kg category with a contest againt Gevris Emane (FRA), the competition’s 2nd seed and reigning World and European Champion.

The men’s -81kg sees Euan Burton enjoy a first round bye before taking on either reigning Olympic Champion and 3rd seed Elnur Mammadli (AZE) or Valois-Fortier (CAN).

Sally Conway starts the women’s -70kg competition against 91st ranked Carin Ngarlemdarna (CHA) where a victory will set up a clash with 2nd seed Edith Bosch (NED), 2004 Olympic Silver and 2008 Olympic Bronze Medallist, 2005 World Champion and former World Silver and Bronze Medallist and Four-time European Champion (most recently 2012).

In the men’s -90kg Winston Gordon comes up against  Alexandre Emond (CAN), ranked 14th in the world.

Gemma Gibbons kicks off her women’s -78kg campaign with her first ever meeting with 2011 European bronze medallist Yahima Ramirez (POR).

The men’s -100kg handed a tough first fight to James Austin with 3rd seed and 2010 World Champion Takamasa Anai (JPN) providing the opposition.

Karina Bryant starts her fourth Olympic campaign in the women’s +78kg category with a contest against 2012 African Champion Sonia Asselah (ALG). Victory would see her set up a clash with 3rd seed and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist, Lucija Polavder (SLO), who Karina has beaten on five of seven previous meetings.

Rounding off the draw is the men’s +100kg with Chris Sherrington meeting 33rd ranked Jake Andrewartha (AUS). The pair have met once previously with Chris taking victory.

The full draw can be found at http://www.ippon.org/