Takamasa Anai

Sport: Judo

Nation: Japan

DOB: August 5, 1984

Career Highlights: Ranked No. 4 in the world in the -100 kg weight division as of May 19, the 27-year-old Anai surprisingly heads to London as one of the oldest members of Japan’s national team. Anai punched his ticket to the 2012 Games by winning his weight class for the fourth year in a row. The 2010 world champion, who took up the sport at the age of five, is coached by former world champion Shinichi Shinohara. Anai’s resume also includes coming in second place at the 2010 Asian games and taking home the bronze at the 2009 world championships. Anai, who could face some stiff competition from Kazakhstan's Maxim Rakov and the Netherlands' Henk Grol, might have to shake off some nerves as he - along with 11 of the other 14 members of Japan's squad - makes his Olympic debut.

Olympic History: None