Japan’s number one -70kg female fighter Haruka Tachimoto is training alongside British judoka at the British Judo Centre of Excellence as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

The 27 year old Japanese judoka competed at London 2012 and has won numerous Grand Slam medals including silver in Tokyo (2012) against Linda Bolder and bronze at the 2014 Paris Grand Slam.

Tachimoto wanted to spend time in the UK to train with the likes of Britain’s no 1 -70kg judoka Sally Conway as well as experience life abroad. She has been at the centre for three weeks and will travel across the border next Tuesday to train with the Scottish National Team.

This weekend is Open National Squad Training (ONST) and all the players will be down at the centre. There will be an National Randori on Friday night and this is an excellent chance to get on the mat with some of world class players – so come and join in.

Words by Donna Richardson.