KIDDERMINSTER kickboxer Drew Neal won two medals at the WAKO European Championships in Bulgaria.

Neal won silver in the under-89 kilogram weight category, before captaining Great Britain to bronze in the team section.

Neal had been hoping to regain the title he won several years ago, but he was edged out by a point by Italian Gusieppe De Marco in the final.

The four strong Great Britain squad reached the semi-finals of the team section but could not repeat last year’s gold success and had to settle for a bronze after losing out in the last four.

“I had really wanted to regain the title, but to win a silver is still a great achievement,” commented the fighter.

“As a team we have set ourselves high standards in the last few years but we were disappointed not to successfully hold onto the gold.”

Neal will now be gearing up for the World Championships next year.

Anyone interested in learning martial arts at Drew Neal’s Lighthouse Kickboxing School in Kidderminster can call 015627 48008.