Judo ace Rachel Hawkes relishing Commonwealth Games challenge alongside sister Sarah

Being selected to represent your country at the Commonwealth Games for the first time is a remarkable achievement, but to have your sister selected on the same squad makes it extra special.

Rachel Hawkes will represent Team NI on the judo mat in Birmingham this summer, the 27-year-old from Omagh will fight in the 70kg category while elder sister Sarah competes in the +78kg division.

“I’m absolutely delighted, it is a real privilege to compete in my first multi-sport games for Northern Ireland. It is a brilliant opportunity and I am absolutely honoured,” Rachel beamed.

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“To have Sarah going is something special. I don’t think there are many people that get a chance to go to their first multi-sports games with their sibling, so it will be nice to have that extra support there. Knowing that we started judo together and going to our first multi sports event together.

“It is really special, it’s a bit of extra encouragement and we can support each other through it.”

Rachel took up the sport at an early age in her home town.

“I started judo in Omagh when I was about six and at that age it was just great fun, I really loved the sport. You were there with your friends and there was plenty of energy," she added.

“As you get older you realise it is a really challenging sport if you get stuck into it. You’ll never get bored with judo as there is always something to learn, it is so dynamic and such a broad spectrum that you can really start making it your own and having your own style and working on new things.

“It is hard work but that is what you want. You want the challenge, you want something that has a load of skill to it and perfecting your technique it’s really