KIDDERMINSTER judo starlet Darcie Hancocks has been selected for a trip to hone her skills in Japan

The 16-year-old has been chosen by the British Judo Association to go to the sport's homeland at the end of the month.

Hancocks is a black belt international fighter who is the current British champion and number one ranked cadet in the under-57kg weight category.

She has also been one of the most successful cadet players (in all categories) this year winning three medals in tough European competitions, including in Spain, Croatia, Germany and Lithuania.

Her success this year has seen her chosen to go to the Japan training camp during the last two weeks of October.

Hancocks also trains at the Judo Centre of Excellence alongside the adult elite team several times a week.