Sarah Adlington, the first athlete ever to win two Commonwealth Games gold medals in judo, is set to compete for a third as she leads 13 judoka selected for Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026. 

She is joined by 12 athletes making their Commonwealth Games debut on the back of international success at the European Cup and Open meetings across Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. 

Adlington was part of the record medal haul at Glasgow 2014 as judo took an incredible 13 medals from 14 athletes; six gold, two silver and five bronze. She returned for judo’s next Games appearance, taking gold at Birmingham 2022 and taking her place in the history books.  

Delighted to be back for a third Games, she said: “Experience teaches you a lot, and I’ve definitely got plenty of that. I’m hoping I can put it to good use at the Games. Competing at Glasgow is a bonus and it’s going to be the perfect ending to my career.”

Adlington will turn 40 just days after the upcoming Games, while in contrast, her five female team mates have an average age of just 20. Sunny Doig was part of Team Scotland’s Achieve Programme for upcoming athletes at Birmingham 2022 and the 21-year-old  will be putting that experience to good use in her first Games. At 18, Eva Ewing is the youngest named and is joined by Sophie Wood, Nicole Wood (no relation) and Summer Shaw, British Championships gold medallist and the oldest of the female debutants at 22. 

For Scott Cusack, this will be his first Games as he follows in the family footsteps. Mum Loretta and dad Billy both won medals for Scotland when judo was first contested at the 1990 Auckland Games and Loretta, also the 1982 World Champion, will be on hand for her son’s debut, as Glasgow 2026 Sport Competition Manager for Judo. Scott took British Championships gold in the run up to selection and has a busy few months ahead with his wedding almost immediately after the Games. 

He said: “To actually make the team, I am delighted. Having my mum and dad both compete at the Commonwealth Games, it’s always been a thing that I wanted to do. I really want to make them proud and do the best that I can.”

He’s not the only one with family connections. Silver medallist at both the Hong Kong Asian Open in November and the Mandurah Oceania Open in May, Ollie Short earns selection for his first Games after his brother Alex competed at Birmingham 2022, just missing out in the bronze medal match. 

The men’s selection is completed by Gregor Miller (also part of the 2022 Achieve Programme), Neil MacDonald, Aiden Moffatt, Daniel Pacitti and Jaden Calder. 

Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “I’m delighted to welcome all of our judoka to Team Scotland and congratulate them on their achievement. 

“It’s also fantastic to welcome back an athlete of Sarah’s calibre, alongside a strong selection of those making their debut. The SEC Centre will be one of the busiest venues come Games time and the athletes we have announced today will most certainly be at the heart of the action.”

The Judo competition takes place from 31 July – 2 August at the SEC Centre. Tickets for the event can be purchased at glasgow2026.com

Athletes Selected: 

Sarah Adlington – Women’s +78kg 

Jaden Calder – Men’s -100kg

Scott Cusack – Men’s -90kg 

Sunny Doig – Women’s -63kg 

Eva Ewing – Women’s -48kg 

Neil MacDonald – Men’s -66kg 

Gregor Miller – Men’s +100kg 

Aiden Moffat – Men’s -66kg 

Daniel  Pacitti – Men’s -73kg 

Summer Shaw – Women’s -48kg 

Ollie Short – Men’s -73kg 

Nicole Wood – Women’s -78kg 

Sophie Wood – Women’s -63kg