Judo: 11-strong team named for Glasgow

Moira de Villiers. Photo / Simon Baker

New Zealand will send 11 judokas to this year's Commonwealth Games, and could be a surprise medal-winning package.

The seven men and four women include nine who are ranked inside the top three in the Commonwealth.

The squad includes Olympians Moira de Villiers and Tim Slyfield.

"Three of our athletes are permanently based offshore and have been travelling extensively to ensure they are best placed for competition in Glasgow," coach Robert Levy said, referring to Darcina Manuel, Ivica Pavlinic and Mark Brewer, who are ranked 1, 2 and 4 respectively.

Pavlinic recently made the top 16 at the world championships in Rio, while Slyfield, who competed at the 2000 Olympics is third in the Commonwealth, while Ryan Dill-Russell, going into what's likely to be his last Games, is ranked top of his field.

The team have a final training camp over Queens' Birthday weekend before heading to Europe and a camp in the Netherlands.

New Zealand have won six Games medals.

New Zealand team:
Men: Adrian Leat (Auckland, 73kg), Mark Brewer (Sydney-based, 81kg), Ivica Pavlinic (Queensland-based, 81kg), Ryan Dill-Russell (Auckland, 90kg), Jason Koster (Christchurch, 100kg), Tim Slyfield (Auckland, 100kg), Sam Rosser (Auckland, 100kg plus).

Women: Chanel Kavanagh (Tauranga, 48kg), Patti Grogan (Auckland, 52kg), Darcina Manuel (Perth-based, 57kg), Moira de Villiers (Auckland, 70kg).