BRITISH judo champion Lele Nairne will make her Olympics debut at the Arena Champ-de-Mars in Paris on Monday (July 29).

The 26-year-old, who was born and raised in Weston-super-Mare, will represent Team GB in the -57kg weight category.

Nairne has been a “judo fanatic” since 2007, when she was nine years old.

She later achieved a bronze medal in the Euro Under 18s Cup and was first called up to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in 2019.

Nairne won the British Judo Championships last year.

Lele Nairne and fellow GB athlete Chelsea Giles during a training session.Lele Nairne and fellow GB athlete Chelsie Giles during a training session. (Image: Jacob King/PA)

When she was selected for Paris 2024, she said: “The journey to get to this point has been filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but it’s been worth every minute to say I have officially qualified for the Olympic Games at just 26.

“I’ve learnt so much over the years but the biggest takeaway from the sporting world is that if you really want something you must go and get it.

“Even during the most difficult challenges, you need to have an ongoing belief in yourself and your ability.

“Never doubt yourself and continue to push forward to achieve your goals and ambitions.”

When will Lele Nairne compete at Paris 2024?

The women's -57kg tournament will take place throughout Monday.

Her opening match will start at 10am, when she takes on Georgian athlete Eteri Liparteliani in the elimination round of 32.

If she wins, she will progress to the round of 16, where she will face either Aminova Shukurjon (Uzbekistan) or Dabonne Zouleiha Abzetta (Côte d'Ivoire).

Nairne could then progress further to reach the quarter-final, semi-final and final, where she could face 2021 gold medallist Nora Gjakova (Kosovo).

If she is eliminated in the quarter-final or semi-final, she will have the chance to compete for a bronze medal in the repechage matches.