Eleven members of Hereford's Combat Academy led by coaches Dave Coles and Simon Small travelled to Nantyglo South Wales to compete in the National Ju Jutsu Kumite Council's Welsh Open championships.
The current National Champion in the under 30 kilo category, Olly Bohn stormed his way to another Gold medal with a variety of striking and grappling techniques.
Competing in his first area event, Jack Stanton gave an excellent display of fighting skills on the way to the gold medal in the under 45kg category.
Another fighter in his first area event was Andy Smith. Despite being held-down for 3 points early on in his first fight Andy fought back, scoring with a variety of striking techniques, to take the silver medal in the under 40kg category.
A Bronze medallist in last years British Championships, Luciano Cellozi competed in the boys -35kg category, and after winning some tough fights secured himself the silver medal.
In the boys under 45 kilo (white - green belt) category Richard Baker was taking part in his first area event. Richard put in an outstanding performance to secure a bronze medal.
In the boys under 45 kilo category Dan Hayes faced Falcons Ju Jutsu Purple Belt Ethan Moss. After a very close fight it ended in a draw, and an extension of time was added. Unfortunately Dan was beat by one point in extra time.
Emma Baker fighting in the girls open division secured a silver medal after being beaten in a very close final.
Becky Hayes (Red Belt) and Kate Bishop (Orange Belt) competed in the under 45 category and both faced black belts in their first fight. Becky defeated the much higher graded opponent to progress to the final. Kate lost by a single point in the semi final and so faced another black belt in the fight off for the bronze medal, which she dually won.
Dan Savaker and Dan McKwan competed in Senior division, their first ever attempt at an area competition. Unfortunately with both losing in their fight to much higher graded and experienced fighters.
2004 British Open Bronze medallist, Bram Roberts managed several good wins en-route to the final of the mens -86kg division where he faced Falcons fighter Carl Edmunds. After a very entertaining fight Bram lost by 1 point to nil, and so had to settle for a hard earned silver medal.
Greg Matthews competed in the under 95 kg category, showing good skills in both the striking and grappling ranges to collect a hard earned silver medal.
Dan Hayes, Becky Hayes and Kate Bishop also competed in the Grappling competition. Dan was unlucky to be drawn against the current national grappling champion in his fist ever attempt at this discipline, Becky and Kate fought through the early rounds to end up fighting each other in the final with Kate taking the Gold medal by a narrow points win.
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