A PAIR of intrepid martial arts fans from New Road’s Winspers Gym were among the town’s first champions in mixed martial arts as they won medals at the ISKA English Championships in Birmingham.

The sport, which involves stand-up fighting, throwing and take-downs plus wrestling and ground fighting, has seen its status rise with the advent of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Kidderminster-based Winspers started mixed martial arts (MMA) classes last year.

The club’s first two competitors in the sport, Joe Johnstone and Martin Karwat, tested their skills at the amateur championships, promoted by British MMA pioneer Lee Hasdell.

Karwat, in the 86 kilogram light-heavyweight division, fought superbly, using his strength and superior kicking to secure bronze, losing out in the semi finals to a more experienced fighter.

Johnstone, an undefeated kickboxer, took on tough opposition but impressed in the final as he took out his opponent with a flying knee to the chest.

He gained automatic qualification for the European Championships in Venetia, Italy, later this year, while Karwat’s bronze puts him in a good position to take one of the qualifying spots if he can impress Hasdell, the England team captain, at team training.

Meanwhile, Winspers members brought home an impressive medal haul of 12 medals in Birmingham.

The gold run was kick-started by Ryan Gifford, 12, as he blazed through to an impressive string of victories in the under-35 kilograms semi-contact (point sparring) division and then repeated his trick by also winning the under-35kg light contact (continuous sparring) section.

Rachael Green, 21, cruised to gold in the ladies’ under-54kg light contact division, defeating last year’s world bronze medallist from Bolton in the final.

Tia Farley, 14, easily snatched victory in the girl’s semi-contact division, scoring with multiple kicks to the body and head to earn her win.

All of the gold medallists gained automatic selection for the ISKA European Championships in Italy.

Other medals went to Stuart Whiley, who took silver in the men’s under-71kg semi-contact division, while 15-year-old Connor Porter lost a close final to one of the country’s best young fighters in the boys' under-63kg light contact division to take silver.

Abbie Farley, 13, fought her hardest to earn silver in the girl’s light contact division, and Jordan Poulton defeated an experienced fighter from Liverpool in the semi-finals of the boys’ under-45kg light contact division to take silver.

A pair of bronze medals went to youngsters Dominik Wojciuk and Lewis Bridgwater in the under-25kgs division.

Jamie Poulton and Sian Davies, both aged 14, won bronzes in the ladies under-50kg division.