Eugene McManus competed in the men’s judo at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, losing his opening contest to Hugo d’Assuncão of Portugal – a bout that concluded without score or penalties to either competitor, with the judges and referee awarding the verdict on a superiority basis to the more aggressive Portuguese athlete.

McManus qualified for Seoul through medalling at the Scottish Open in February 1988. As the only judoka on Team Ireland, his preparation involved three weeks of specialist training in Japan in the lead in to the Olympic Games.

Eugene’s brother, Dave competed in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.