STUDENTS from Samurai Judo Club tested their mettle against black belts in the high grades open.

The competition, held at the Walsall Sports Centre, attracted a good entry of black belts from as far away as Guernsey.

Run in grade rather than weight categories, this put comparative lightweights like Tom Walker, Ryan Pitcock and Liam Feely at a disadvantage, but they showed just how skilled they are by defeating a series of heavier and older competitors.

Pitcock won four contests on his way to the quarter-finals, with Feely winning three, but there was no stopping Walker as he defeated a series of much heavier combatants to win gold.

In the second level section, Andy Marston reached the final after a series of impressive wins, before losing to a British Squad player.

Richard Jones clinched a bronze with some good work, while Marston won his second silver in the veterans section.

Third dan black belt Rob Young claimed a bronze in his first competition this year.

Kate Walker was too strong for her opponents, beating all-comers by maximum points to win gold in the open and women's categories.

In the women's veterans category Sue Cosnett won silver in the light middleweight section, while Rachel Griffiths, in her first competition for a decade, won silver in the full-middleweight section.

In the open group Cosnett won silver and Griffiths sealed bronze.

For details about starting judo or information about the Samurai club and its activities you can telephone 0776 1122977, or visit the Samurai website on www.samurai.org.uk.

Medals summary - gold: Tom Walker; Kate Walker (open and women).

Silver: Andy Marston (vets and level two); Sue Cosnett (vets and open).

Bronze: Rob Young; Richard Jones; Rachel Griffiths.

Edward Mitchell became Bewdley Tsunami Karate Club's latest black belt after completing a gruelling three days of training at the Shukokai Karate Federation headquarter.

Mitchell was under the watchful eye of Shihan Eddie Daniels, an eight dan Kimura Shukokai Great Britain and World chief instructor.

Obtaining his black belt has been a massive achievement for Mitchell, who has been training for five years.

There was more success for Tsunami and sensei Dave Powell, when Tony Baker and his daughter Natasha passed their first kyu brown belts.

Ryan Gallagher obtained his third kyu brown and Iain Sinnett earned his fourth kyu purple belt.

Anyone interested in joining Tsunami can call Powell on 07725 230409.

Students from Kidderminster's Independent Tae Kwon Do Association took part in a sponsored sparring event at Droitwich Spa High School.

Students from the Kidderminster school were joined by members of the club from all over Worcestershire. Over 70 students sparred against each other for one hundred 45 second rounds to help raise £1500 for the Lymphoedema Trust.