British Judo selects nine players for Junior World Championships

British Judo has selected nine players to compete at the Junior World Championships in the sun-kissed city of Agadir, Morocco, between 21 and 24 October.

The country’s top sea resort will host the world’s greatest junior judoka as they aim to shine in North Africa.

The British team, which will be led by Performance Director Margaret Hicks, features four men and five women.

Welsh judoka Brandon Dodge, who took gold at the Warsaw u20 Open on 3 October, is included while recent Junior European Championship bronze medallist Lewis Keeble will also be in action.

Multi-time former British Champion Owen Livesey will compete along with Camberley Judo Club youngster Josh Butler.

Hayley Willis, 14, from Essex, is the youngest member of the talented team and will be joined by Shropshire judoka Kelly Edwards. The 19-year-old has firmly established herself in the senior set-up this year after taking an impressive seventh-place at the European Championships and also making her debut at the World Championships in Japan.

Scottish starlets Jodie Mullen and Samantha Clark, who both saw action at the 2010 GB World Cup, will continue their progress in the Olympic sport in Morocco.

Wolverhampton Judo Club’s 16-year-old ace Freya De Chastelain will continue her remarkable year as she lines up for another prestigious event.

The Northampton-based player claimed bronze at the Junior European Championships recently which prompted a late call-up to the GB World Cup team where the Midlands judoka produced a credible performance beyond her tender years.

De Chastelain, who retained her British Championships title in Sheffield on 10 October, also claimed the top prize at the Heart of England u19 Championships in September.

Full team: