Teenage Shropshire judokas Gemma Howell and Kelly Edwards are national champions again after storming performances at the British Junior Trials.

The duo from Telford were both in action at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Saturday and sent out an early warning to their rivals in 2009.

They will now be the No 1 ranked players in the GB squad at junior events all over Europe and further afield in the next 12 months.

For Howell – competing as usual in the under-57kgs class – it was a fifth consecutive junior crown, marking her out as the top under-20 player in her category.

The 18-year-old, of Wolverhampton Judo Club, began her challenge with victory over Rachel McCullar (Devizes) by Ippon, and then marched through to the final with three more victories that all lasted less than a minute.

Hannah Tiernam (Westcroft) was beaten in 44 seconds and Vikki McKay (Wirral) was then brushed aside in just 10 seconds.

The semi-final with Sophie Sandy (Redbridge) lasted a mere 36 seconds, Priorslee-based Howell winning by Ippon as a result of a throw.

That set up a final against Courtney Hancock (Parks Judo Club), and that at least lasted 2mins 8secs before Howell triumphed by Ippon as a result of an armlock.

Edwards, who turns 18 this week, has until now been competing at under-48kgs but stepped up to the under-52kgs division at Sheffield and took the change in her stride to come out on top.

The ace from Wrekin Star Judo Club began by defeating Megan Sinfield (JSC) and needed just 16 seconds to see off Chloe Jones (Happi-Dojo) – both contests won by Ippon as a result of a throw.

Her third bout proved to be the toughest of the day, with eventual bronze medalist Samantha Clark of Scotland putting up a brave fight.

Clark lasted 3mins 50secs before being penalised for a foul to hand the tie to the Telford girl.

That victory set up a final against another Scot, Danae Harris (Edinburgh) – and Edwards showed the exertions of the previous contest had done her no harm as she breezed to victory.

It took her 49secs to dispose of Harris, again by Ippon as a result of a throw.

By Chris Hudson