ST HELENS' Commonwealth Games judo champion Owen Livesey is heading back to scene of his proudest triumph this weekend for the 2015 Glasgow European Judo Open at the Emirates Arena on Saturday, October 10.

Last year Livesey, fighting at -81kg, defeated England teammate Tom Reed in the final to take gold at Glasgow 2014 and a year on from that moment the British judoka is looking to take his next step on the road to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The former Saints junior, who hails from Haresfinch was determined to put on a good display with vital points up for grabs for Rio.

He said: “It’s great to be going back to Glasgow. Obviously it went very well last time I was there and hopefully it can happen again.

“This is an Olympic qualifying event, points are up for grabs and it’s on home turf so this is very important and I’m looking to win.”

Livesey is currently 53rd in Olympic Games Qualification and his results this year include gold medals at the Santiago and Buenos Aires Pan American Opens earlier this year.

Qualification for the Olympics is based on world rankings with the top 22, based on one representative per country, making it through.

With 100 ranking points going towards gold medallists in Glasgow, a good result in front of a home crowd will put him on the right path ahead of further competitions in Mauritius, Australia and South Korea before the year is out.

“I love fighting in front of a home crowd. Having home support helps and it also gives my friends and family a chance to get in the crowd which is always good.”

Tickets from £2.50 are available at: www.britishjudo.org.uk/glasgow2015