Strong mix of youth and experience for Europeans, says British Judo chief Donohue

Rio 2016 bronze medallist Sally Conway (-70kg) and 2017 World Championship bronze winners Nekoda Smythe-Davis (-57kg) and Natalie Powell (-78kg) are set to spearhead the country's podium hopes in Israel.

Lucy Renshall (-63kg), Alice Schlesinger (-63kg), Gemma Howell (-70kg) and Ashley McKenzie (-60kg) are also hoping for glory on the mat, while five more names have been added in the second round of selections.

Kim Renicks (-48kg), Acelya Toprak (-57kg), Stuart McWatt (-81kg), Frazer Chamberlain (-90kg) and Jamal Petgrave (-90kg) make up the additional five.

Toprak, McWatt and Petgrave represent the younger members of the team and will be making their European bows.

Ahead of the Championships, set to take place from April 26 to 28, Donohue is keen to build on an outstanding 2017 enjoyed by the squad.

"We have selected a strong and exciting team of experience and potential and we optimistically, go into this event with high expectations," he said.

"We have started the year building on the success in 2017 with some fantastic performances in a number of Grand Slam and Grand Prix with the highlights being Sally Conway winning gold in Paris and likewise, Nekoda Davis winning gold in Dusseldorf.

"The team that we have selected is a very strong mix of youth and experience. Our senior athletes such as Nekoda, Sally, Natalie and Ashley have consistently performed at the very highest level and go into these Championships in great form.

"Also, it is very exciting to give some our young athletes the deserved exposure at a senior Championships and although at this stage of their careers there is little expectation, I know that they will go into this event well prepared to give their very best performance. I am sure that they will do GB proud."

Sportsbeat 2018