A HOST of fighters were successful at Samurai Judo Club's junior belt gradings.

Just starting out on the long road to top grades, Ellie Griffiths, Bonham Priest, Daniel Reading, Tommy Palfreyman, Ciara Murphy, Benn Llewellyn, Alicia Gulliver and Louisa Coleman all obtained the first level red belt.

James Brogan, Elliot Murphy, Rebecca Ellison, Ellis Stubbins, Ryan Humphries, Dougie Hutton, Nancy Palfreyman and Joe Clifford went a stage higher to middle red belt, while Chloe Bustin and Olivia Harris moved to top red.

Grades were assessed for technical ability and performances at certain competitions and after a number of medal wins Bryony Griffiths, Katie Griffiths, Andrew Woodall, Hayden Clarke, Aston Evans and Sophie Woodward were all promoted to yellow belt, while John Rolley, Emily Woodall, Liane Gillespie-Akar, Tom Dobbins, Pippa Harper and Rory Gulliver were all promoted to top yellow belt.

Nine fighters tested their skills against another club's competitors and earned higher graded belts. Rory and Arran Gulliver, two members from the now closed Bewdley Judo Club who moved to Samurai, did well.

Arran was promoted to middle orange level, while his brother was promoted to the top level.

Emily Woodall also went to top orange, as did Tom Dobbins, both displaying excellent skills.

Jessica Sullivan, Rachael Moon, Sally Moon and Andrew Talbot won promotion to the blue belt level, while Charis Hancocks earned the middle blue level.

After the closure of the club in Bewdley most of their students have joined Samurai, and those wishing to join can telephone 0776 1122977 or visit the website on www.samurai.org.uk Samurai grades summary - red belt: Ellie Griffiths; Bonham Priest; Daniel Reading; Tommy Palfreyman; Ciara Murphy; Benn Llewellyn; Alicia Gulliver; Louisa Coleman.

Middle red belt: James Brogan; Elliot Murphy; Rebecca Ellison; Ellis Stubbins; Ryan Humphries; Dougie Hutton; Nancy Palfreyman; Joe Clifford Top red belt: Chloe Bustin; Olivia Harris.

Top yellow belt: John Rolley; Emily Woodall; Liane Gillespie-Akar; Tom Dobbins; Pippa Harper; Rory Gulliver.

Middle orange belt: Arran Gulliver.

Top orange belt: Rory Gulliver; Tom Dobbins; Emily Woodall.

Blue belt: Sally Moon; Rachel Moon; Andrew Woodal; Jessica Sullivan.

Middle blue belt: Charis Hancocks.