BILLINGE-BORN judo fighter Chris Sherrington has only one medal in mind as he looks forward to making his Commonwealth Games bow this summer.

Sherrington, also a Royal Marine with the Arbroath’s 45 Commando, will represent Scotland in the heavyweight 100kg+ event.

“The only medal I have in mind for Glasgow is gold and I should be looking to come top. Perhaps that’s my Royal Marines mentality,” says the 30-year-old. “It will take place about 30 minutes from my house and having a home crowd will be nice and having my friends back to watch will be really good.”

Having competed in the London 2012 Olympic Games representing Team GB, Sherrington made it to the second round where his exit came after an epic contest against the legendary Alexander Mikhaylin of Russia which went down to a Golden Score.

“I took my first fight in 24 seconds and then in that second took it to him hard and it was really close. I think if I could have got through that I could have gone on to make it to the final.”

However, as judo makes its return to the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 12 years, Sherrington, who lives in Broxburn, West Lothian has qualified to compete in a second major home game in three years as he was announced as one of seven male judoka to represent Scotland. He initially joined the Marines when he was 17 and served in Iraq. And it was through his involvement with the Marines that he was encouraged to take up judo at 21.

“I’d have never started the judo without the Royal Marines. Within six months I was third in Britain and being offered to do it full-time. It’s been a crazy ascent and I would never have done it without the navy.

“I had never considered myself a judo player and I do it now because I was good at it. I’ve just got the feeling that if you’re talented at something then you should do it, and also help to inspire others,” added the world number 50.

“I always get a high level of respect from foreign coaches as well, and have had plenty of good tussles in my career.”