Telford’s Kelly Edwards insists she’s ready to spring a surprise on her European Judo Championships debut after jetting back from a one-on-one masterclass with world champion Tomoko Fukumi at the sport’s spiritual home.

The 19-year-old former Thomas Telford School pupil was on a training camp in Japan with the British squad when she was given the nod to make her first senior appearance in Austria.

Edwards served notice of her international pedigree by claiming European junior bronze in Warsaw in 2008 and honed her skills ahead of her GB bow by going toe-to-toe with 2009 Japanese World Championship gold medallist Fukumi.

And the former Wrekin Star Judo Club member is intent on making her own bit of history in Vienna.

“I definitely feel part of the team and in Japan I was training with the girl who won the world title last year,” said Edwards. “We stayed for a week where judo was first invented and it was a big honour and you definitely get the feeling of how lucky you are to be in the position you are.

“It was an amazing experience and obviously what you learn does allow you to come back and apply it to an event like the European Championships.

“Obviously competing at that level for the first time will be a new experience but I think any experience at such a level will be vital to my future development.

“But at the same time I am not going out there just thinking about the experience, I believe I wouldn’t have been picked if I didn’t have the tools required to perform at a level where I can put in a good performance.

“This year is a busy year and after the Europeans I have the senior World Championships to look forward to and the European and World Junior Championships and the European under-23 Championships.

“So there are five competitions to aim for and I believe I have a great possibility to compete at all five.”

Edwards will be joined on the continent by Shrewsbury’s Daniel Williams after he caught the selectors’ eye with third round finishes in World Cups in Vienna and Prague.

By BEN ENDLEY