CLARE Lynch has shed blood, sweat and tears in her pursuit of Commonwealth Games glory.

The blood and sweat has been produced by the bucket load - a consequence of the judo player's punishing training and fitness schedule.

But the tears have also flowed as Lynch, 18, has coped with chronic homesickness and the heartache of being parted from her loved ones for the best part of this year.

Lynch, from Middlesbrough, gives an insight into her desire to win the up to 48kg weight category when she describes her life as consisting of "judo and sleeping".

But the stress of her thrice-daily training sessions, and the absence of family and friends from her base in Edinburgh, regularly forces the teenager to break down.

She said: "Being away from my parents and everyone else I know is terrible and I do crack at times.

"I've got my mobile phone and that's my lifeline. I'm addicted to it and I keep in contact with my mum and dad every day.

"I get homesick, but my coaches, Billy Cusack and Loretta Doyle-Cusack, are marvellous. They're like second parents to me.

"I'm also very close to Mandy Costello, who's English but is fighting for Scotland, and she's always there for me when I'm having a tough time and vice-versa.

"I moved up to Edinburgh last June and the most difficult time was over Christmas and New Year. I only managed to get home for a couple of days and it was hard to leave my family again."

Lynch's parents were both judo coaches and she jokes that she has been involved in martial arts - including karate and kick boxing - since she was "in nappies".

The youngest member of England's 14-strong judo team at Manchester - and the country's junior and senior No 1 at her weight - she has sacrificed nights out with mates at the altar of professionalism.

Lynch said: "A lot of my friends did judo when we were younger but they've all stopped. You need to be 100 per cent dedicated and that's what I am.

"It is difficult seeing my mates go out all the time when I have to stay in. You think to yourself, 'Is it all worth it?'

"It's difficult to resist the temptations when you're away with the team. But people have been caught breaking curfews or whatever, and they've been sent home.

"It's not worth the risk of that happening, and when you're stood on top of the podium it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

"My mates in Middlesbrough are working in shops and doing other jobs that wouldn't tickle my fancy. I'd rather see how far I can go in judo."