INCREASED investment in judo has helped to secure the country's success in the martial art, Scottish sport's governing body claimed after Sarah Clark added another gold medal.
Team Scotland's judo stars have so far won a total of eight medals at Glasgow 2014 - three gold, a silver and four bronze - leading to a joke by Alex Salmond that it could become the country's new national sport.
Tweeting his congratulations to Clark, the First Minister wrote: "Perhaps judo should be our national sport! Congrats to @sarahclark_judo on winning Gold #GoScotland #Glasgow2014".
Following the judoka's success, Scottish sport's governing body, sportscotland, claimed the judo team's performance had not come by accident and linked it to investment of more than £3 million over the last four years.
A sportscotland spokesman also praised the judo training facility at Ratho, Edinburgh, describing it as "first class".
He added: "Sportscotland has invested record levels across the 17 Commonwealth sports and Judo Scotland has received over £2.5m during this Games block from 2010 to 2014. That's an increase of 24 per cent compared to the Delhi Games block from 2007 to 2011.
"There has also been increased investment in 11 judo players, with personal awards handed out to the value over £70,000 over the last three years.
"Judo players also have the backing of the sportscotland Institute of Sport and its experts and practitioners, who provide advice on strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, sports medicine and physiotherapy. This, combined with the dedication of the athletes, meant Team Scotland was as prepared as it could be going into the Games."
The spokesman said the body was "very happy" with Team Scotland's progress in the Games so far, adding: "It's been a terrific start and judo has exceeded our expectations.
"The judo players deserve a huge amount of credit, as do their coaches. It's been a fantastic, collaborative approach which is proving to be extremely successful."
This is the first time judo has been included in the Commonwealth Games since 2002, when Team Scotland secured 10 medals in the sport.
Following her swift victory over Helene Wezeu Dombeu of Cameroon, Clark told the crowd this would be her last major tournament and a "fitting tribute" to her career.
She said: "That is what I came here to do and I have come out with the result I wanted.
"I feel like I have done it because of the crowd. My family and friends have come to see me, it is for them and for Scotland.
"My motivation was always there and to keep the momentum going for Scottish judo is fantastic. This will be my last competitive tournament for sure."
The judoka, who trains in Edinburgh but is originally from South Shields, has won 11 UK titles, three European medals - including 2006 gold - and has competed at three Olympic Games.
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