The reintroduction of judo to the Commonwealth programme, following a hugely successful competition in Glasgow in 2014 and 2018 hosts' Australia's decision not to include the sport, will be a crucial step for judo in the Commonwealth as the sport will become a core sport from 2022.
Birmingham is synonymous with top-level judo competitions and boasts a fine network of judo clubs in addition to a strong track record of producing top British talents.
The West Midlands city hosted the 1999 Worlds which saw wins for IJF Hall of Famers Tani Ryoko (JPN), Driulis Gonzalez (CUB) and Inoue Kosei (JPN) as well as home hero Graeme Randall (GBR) while the city has also staged two editions of the GB World Cup in 2007 and 2009 when Craig Fallon (GBR) and Euan Burton (GBR) were among the winners.
Dr. Lisa Allan, IJF Competition Manager and IJF Executive Committee member, who was the Judo Manager at the London 2012 Olympics and was part of an IJF delegation supporting the competition at Glasgow 2014, believes the selection of Birmingham for 2022 is a great step forward for judo's development I n the Commonwealth.
"It is very exciting that Birmingham, has been announced as the city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games," said Allan.
"Judo will take place in one of the largest halls in the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). England has strong tradition of performing well when judo is on the Commonwealth Games sport programme and Birmingham is no stranger to holding judo events having hosted the 1999 World Championships.
"Judo in the Commonwealth is developing rapidly and we will be looking forward to an increase in the number of participating countries and athletes and a great event."
British national team member Max Stewart, 24, hails from Birmingham and the 2016 Qingdao Grand Prix winner sees the announcement as a dream come true.
"I think it's amazing, " said the world number 24 in the -90kg weight category.
"I am really excited at the news and I would be more than honoured to be able to represent England in the city I was born and grew up in."
For more information on Birmingham 2022, which is expected to take place from 27 July -- 7 August 2022, visit http://www.birmingham2022.com