KIDDERMINSTER karate ace James Winsper continued his comeback with a dominant win at the Fighters British Open event in Manchester earlier this month.

The 24-year-old former junior world champion was in superb form to scoop gold in only the second event of his return to action following four years out.

Winsper, who runs the Winsper School of BlackBelts centre on New Road, knocked out his first foe in less than a minute, cornering him and then finishing him off with a short right hand to the jaw.

He was given a tricky ride in the quarter finals by British ranked Ian Hollett of Liverpool, but then easily despatched his semi-final and final opponent to win the Black Belt heavyweight division.

Winsper, trained by older brother Matt, aims to keep warming up with wins like this before inviting one of America's top martial artists to Kidderminster for a big world title showdown next year.

Another Kidderminster competitor from Winsper's dojo, 19-year-old Lule Swingler, was in action in the men's lightweight division.

Despite being a newcomer to the national circuit, the teenager won his tough preliminary round match before losing to current world champion Robbie Hughes.

Anyone interested in learning karate or kickboxing at the Winsper's centre should phone 01562 865195.