Judo: Six-strong team for Manchester

Six competitors have been selected for the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team, just the second time the sport has been included on the Games programme.

Three men and three women will compete in judo at the Manchester Games, 12 years after the sport made its only other appearance in Auckland in 1990, when New Zealand won one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

"In 1990 we achieved some fantastic results at the Commonwealth Games," said Barry Maister, the New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general.

"The athletes selected for Manchester all have extensive international experience and I am sure they will perform with great credit."

Sydney Olympian Tim Slyfield will compete in the under-81kg competition.

Slyfield is based in London where he regularly comes up against the top British competitors.

Gareth Knight will be in the under-90kg division and Andrew Ross in the under-66kg.

Nellie Stallworthy (under-70kg), Melissa Jones (under-75kg) and Rochelle Stormont (under-48kg) make up the women's contingent.

Head coach Brent Cooper, who won a Commonwealth Games gold in 1990, is confident the team will perform well in Manchester.

"Judo has always performed well at Commonwealth level events and I am convinced that the members of this team have the experience, commitment and skill to deliver medal-winning performances."

New Zealand team:

Men: Gareth Knight (Auckland) under-90kg, Tim Slyfield (Auckland) under-81kg, Andrew Ross (Auckland) under-66kg.

Women: Mellissa Jones (Gisborne) under 57kg, Nellie Stallworthy (Auckland) under-70kg, Rochelle Stormont (Auckland) under-48kg.

- NZPA