10-strong British team selected for Junior European Championships

After a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games for British Judo the quest starts now for Rio 2016 and 10 of our brightest youngsters will step into the spotlight when they compete at the Junior European Championships in Porec, Croatia from 21-23 September.

Junior world bronze medallist and 2012 British Closed Championships junior and senior gold medallist Hayley Willis from Stratford Judo Kwai will compete in the -48kg category.

The 16-year-old produced a stunning fifth-place finish at the Romania World Cup in June and will be one of the event’s youngest and most accomplished judoka.

Junior Commonwealth champion Jade Lewis, 18, from Gendros Judo Club will see action in the -52kg category.

Ealing Judo Club starlet Nekoda Davis, 19, winner of five Junior European Cup medals this year, will campaign in the -57kg field.

Junior Commonwealth champion Jemima Duxberry, 17, from Devizes, fights in the -63kg category.

British Closed Championships winner Amy Livesey, 18, from SKK, competes in the -70kg category.

English Open silver medallist Lucas Rowe, 19, of Hardy Spicer and Ryecroft’s Sam Hall, 17, both battle in the -60kg category.

Junior Commonwealth bronze medallist Connor Ireland, 17, from Maesteg, takes to the mat in the -66kg category.

British Closed Championships winner Conall McGregor, 18, from Carnegie, takes to the -81kg category alongside 2011 Junior European silver medallist Max Stewart, 19, of Lordswood Boys.

The draw will take place on Thursday 20 September.

The event will be streamed live on www.eju.net

Full selection:

Event schedule:

Friday, Day 1:

Women: -44 kg / -48 kg / -52 kg (Hayley Willis, Jade Lewis)

Men: -55 kg / -60 kg / -66 kg (Lucas Rowe, Sam Hall, Connor Ireland)

Saturday, Day 2

Women: -57 kg / -63 kg / -70 kg (Nekoda Davis, Jemima Duxberry, Amy Livesey)

Men: -73 kg / -81kg (Conall McGregor, Max Stewart)

Sunday, Day 3

Women: -78 kg / +78 kg

Men: -90 kg / -100 kg / +100 kg