British judo talents want to continue positive vibe at Paris Grand Slam

Last year Great Britain won two bronze medals at the Grand Slam in Paris through Sally Conway, who later took Olympic bronze in Rio, and Natalie Powell. These were some of the most valuable medals for Great Britain last season as it was the first occasion in several years that any judoka from Great Britain won a medal in Paris.

It is time for new talents. With Lucy Renshall and Max Stewart the British have high hopes for the future. Max Stewart won the Grand Prix of Qingdao last year and Lucy Renshall won silver this past weekend in Sofia. She is also the current European U23 champion. Let’s introduce them to mark their debut in Paris.

Lucy Renshall (GBR)

Age: 21

Weight category: -63kg

Best results: Qingdao Grand Prix silver (2016)

Qingdao Grand Prix silver medallist Lucy Renshall (GBR), who is based out of British Judo Centre of Excellence in Walsall, England, is one Great Britain’s leading youngsters. Renshall, 21, was released onto the IJF World Judo Tour in the post-Olympic period, which her country wisely used to blood their 2020 hopefuls. Renshall, who went to three Grand Prix events and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam last year, now arrives in Paris with vital World Judo Tour experience and will be looking to hit the ground running in 2017.

Max Stewart (GBR)

Age: 23

Weight category: -90kg

Best results: Qingdao Grand Prix winner (2016), Zagreb Grand Prix bronze (2016)

Birmingham judoka Max Stewart, who is also based at the British Judo Centre of Excellence, which is home primarily to the best judoka aged 18 – 23 in Great Britain, made significant inroads on the IJF World Judo Tour in 2016. The 23-year-old, who is the son of Seoul 1988 Olympic bronze medallist and Great Britain coach Dennis Stewart, won the Qingdao Grand Prix in November and will surely step up to Grand Slam honours in 2017. Stewart can also expect a lot of support in Paris from travelling British fans who will be as vocal as they will be plentiful.