James Austin ready for fight of his life

James Austin has "the chance of his life" to become an Olympic star, according to judo chief Daniel Lascau.

The Romanian, British Judo's performance director, backed Lichfield's Austin to provide a lasting legacy for the men's sport. Former Friary School pupil Austin fights world No.5 Takamasa Anai in the -100kgs on Thursday on his Olympic debut.

It is a daunting task for the 29-year-old, but Lascau, who knows judo faces funding cuts after the Games, believes Hardy Spicer 83 fighter Austin can give the sport a spark.

"In this Olympics to have a Japanese fighter first is all or nothing. You have nothing to lose," he said.

"James has the chance of his life. It's against a Japanese fighter, at home in the first fight and if he can win it will completely change everything for him.

"It may happen that Anai is going to be better than him, but the way he will fight, the way he will present himself and the way he will leave a legacy for -100kgs is much more important than the results.

"When I came to Great Britain I didn't know James very well, I had to watch a few competitions first. In the last 10 months we had a planned programme for the European Championships and then again for the Olympics.

"During this time James was No.1 in the category. He could defend his position."

Lascau wants his fighters to relax in London after recent upheaval in judo threatened their Olympic preparations.

He only took charge last September, replacing Margaret Hicks after a poor World Championships saw British Judo sack the entire elite coaching staff.

Under his guidance the likes of Telford's Gemma Howell have flourished.

Since stepping up to -63kgs at the start of the year, the 22-year-old Wolverhampton Judo Club member has won two World Cup events, claimed the British Open title and the Prague European Cup and banked a bronze at the IJF Baku Grand Prix.

Lascau believes she has proved she is an Olympic contender ahead of her fight with world No.2 Gevrise Emane on Tuesday.

He said: "She changed her weight category, she is No.1 in the country and she can win competitions. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gemma in the top eight or Gemma as a medallist."