OWEN SMITH has continued his rise to prominence by being selected to represent British Athletics at the World Relays in Japan.

Sychdyn-raised Smith is one of seven selected for the 4x400m relay, alongside Cameron Chalmers, Dwayne Cowan, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Martyn Rooney, Jamal Rhoden-Stevens and Rabah Yousif for the event in Yokohama on May 11-12.

A delighted Smith tweeted: "Japan bound. Can’t wait to get out there and represent @BritAthletics."

Smith is one of 26 athletes selected for the competition, which includes 4x100m and 4x400m relays for men and women.

British Athletics performance director Neil Black said: “We are extremely proud of the successes of our relay teams over the past three years and our athletes take each and every opportunity to compete on the international stage incredibly seriously, as proven by the sheer strength of the team selected for Yokohama.

“We expect our athletes to continue that tradition of success in Japan and guarantee qualification for all five events for the IAAF World Championships later in the year.

“The World Relays provides us with a great opportunity as we prepare for not only Doha but also for the Olympic Games, which we all know are also being held in Japan in 2020.

"The opportunity to train and compete in Japan 14 months before the Games is invaluable to all those selected.”