Glasgow welcomed the rising stars of British judo on Wednesday, ahead of the 2016 Glasgow European Open.

The event is the first world ranking event on UK soil since the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics and is the fourth year in a row that event has been held in the city.

19-year-old Neil MacDonald, from Burnside, will be competing in front of crowds at the competition held in the Emirates Arena on Saturday October 15.

The -60kg judoka, who now trains in Walsall at the British Judo Centre of Excellence, recently medalled at the Junior European Judo Championships in Malaga where he took home silver.

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Neil said: “It’s amazing. I remember last year when I fought the crowd was unbelievable, they were going absolutely crazy for me and I really excited for it again.

“When the crowd’s going crazy for you, you don’t get tired or anything in the fight and they make you go harder.”

Councillor Archie Graham OBE, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “With just over two weeks to go until the biggest event in the UK’s judo calendar, everyone in Glasgow is getting geared up to deliver a top-class event in the fantastic Emirates Arena.

“Glaswegians are known for our enthusiasm and friendliness – and every competitor taking part in this event will get to experience that support for themselves.

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“The competition is set to be incredible, and I personally can’t wait to cheer on the British Judo team. It’ll be really special to see so many of our young athletes competing in this championship, starting their journey to Tokyo 2020.”

Tickets are available from as little as £2.50 and all tickets grant you access to both sessions of judo http://tickets.glasgowconcerthalls.com/single/SelectSeating.aspx?p=7060