Locals to line up in judo, rowing and soccer on day one of competition in Rio

YEARS of blood, sweat and tears and exhaustive hours of training have finally paid off — they are representing Australia at the Rio Olympics. So which locals are in action today?

Ohori Judo Club member Chloe Rayner of Holmview will start her Rio Olympic campaign late tonight when she lines up for the Women's 48kg division — Picture: Richard Walker

WELL, they have made it — after years of dedication and hard work, they are wearing the coveted green and gold of Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

So, who are the Greater Brisbane locals who will be vying for Olympic glory today?

We are well-represented across a wide range of sports throughout this Olympic campaign and Day One sees the spotlight shine on the sports of judo, rowing and women’s soccer.

Quest will keep our readers up to date on the locals competing at the Games with a daily preview. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news on our Olympic heroes. We wish our athletes all the best of luck!

JUDO:

SHE stands just 155cm tall but pocket rocket Chloe Rayner is ready to take on the world when the 48kg judo gets underway tonight (Saturday).

The 19-year-old who hails from Logan, south of Brisbane, will get her first taste of Olympic experience when her weight category begins at 11pm Saturday night.

However, Rayner, a former Trinity College student, can take confidence from a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Holmview’s Chloe Rayner. Picture: Richard Walker

“I think it was a little bit of a taster obviously I experienced the village and it was a really nice stepping stone for this I think,” Rayner said late last month before heading to Brazil.

“But I don’t think it’s going to be any comparison to an Olympic games but it definitely will help the overwhelming feelings of being at my first Olympics a bit.

“I think being my first Games and being so young I have no expectations, I’m the underdog just going go out there and do the best I can.”

WOMEN’S SOCCER:

THE Matildas will look to get their Rio campaign back on track when they take on Germany tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

Things went from bad to worse for the world No. 5 Matildas — who feature locals Katrina Gorry (Mt Gravatt Hawks junior), Laura Alleway (Mt Gravatt Hawks junior), and Clare Polkinghorne (Former Capalaba and Wolves FC player, Carindale resident) — in their opening match in Brazil.

Australia's Katrina Gorry, left, fights for the ball with Canada's Shelina Zadorsky during the 2016 Summer Olympics football match at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)

After conceding the quickest goal in an Olympic soccer match inside 20 seconds, they went on to lose 2-0 to World No. 10 Canada, despite the Canadians playing 70 minutes of the match with 10 men after Shelina Zadorsky was sent off in the 19th minute.

It means at least a draw against world No. 2 Germany, who come off a 6-1 victory over Zimbabwe, is a must when they meet in Sao Paulo if the Aussies are to progress from their group.

Kick-off is at 7am AEST.

ROWING:

BRISBANE pair Jessica Hall and Maddie Edmunds will play their part in Australian rowing history when they take to the water in Rio tonight (Saturday).

While Hall and Edmunds, along with Jennifer Cleary, will make their Olympic debut in the heats of the women’s quadruple sculls, Kerry Hore will make history as the first Australian female rower to compete at four consecutive Olympics.

Hall recently told Rowing Australia that the experience of Hore has been invaluable in the lead-up to the Games in Rio.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — AUGUST 03: Australia's women's quadruple sculls Jessica Hall, Kerry Hore, Jennifer Cleary and Madeleine Edmunds train at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on August 3, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“As a crew, this season Kerry has given a lot to us with her experience in the sport,” Hall said.

“She’s sitting in a different seat to her previous Games and she’s communicating a lot with us about her experiences and we recognise her as a big asset to our crew.

“The focus is to perform, but she’s highlighted things that could potentially distract us and has advised us how best to balance or manage those distractions while also getting the best possible outcomes on the water.

“I think our excitement for the Games, which is of course new to us, gives Kerry energy and her own excitement.”

The team will compete on the opening day of the regatta, hoping to improve on the silver medal they won at the World Rowing Cup 3 in Poland in June.

The crew will face Ukraine, the Netherland and China in their heat.