Name: Euan Burton
Event: Judo
Date of Birth: 31st March 1979, Age 33
Career Highlight: Twice winning World Championship bronze medals
Did you Know?: Burton’s girlfriend Sally Conway is also a Judoka
Judo is not an event that Britain has traditionally shone in, with the last British medallist being Kate Howey, who claimed silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This time round in London, Euan Burton is one of Britain’s best hopes of challenging for a medal, but even that is a slim chance.
Born in Ascot, Berkshire, and living in Edinburgh, Burton first participated in judo at the age of six, after encouragement from his parents as a way to build up his self-confidence. Burton developed from a shy youngster into a top Judoka, and had the honour of representing team GB in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Half-Middleweight (Under 81kg) category. However he returned without a medal finishing in a disappointing 7th place, when he was considered as a genuine medal hopeful.
Burton, who attended Edinburgh University, has finished in third place three times in European Championships, and twice in World Championships, most recently in 2010. Since then he has suffered a dip in form, finishing only 33rd in the World Championships in 2011, and 17th and 9th in the past two European Championships.
If Burton is to record the most memorable triumph of his life in London then he will have to greatly improve his form, but the magic of the occasion might well spur him on. Reigning World Champion Kim Jae-Bum will start as the favourite for gold in Burton’s category, and Ivan Nifontov will be another formidable opponent.
