MARTIAL ARTS: A MARTIAL arts instructor is in a state of shock after his young students returned with honours from their debut competition.

Go Dojo Judo struck gold at the CNO National Competition through Jack Washington, nine, while 10-year-old Elizabeth Connor and Joshua Whittaker, six, each picked up a bronze medal.

No-one was more surprised than instructor David Roberts, who founded five clubs, including three in Halton last year.

Roberts, a third-dan black belt, said: 'It is the first competition we have gone for with us being so young.

'I am delighted because I wasn't expecting to get any medals at all.'

The club meets on Thursdays at St Basil's Club, Hough Green, with a junior session from 6.30-7.30pm and seniors from 7.30-8.30pm.

Members also train at Windmill Hill Community Centre in Runcorn on Tuesdays from 7-8pm (juniors) and 8-9pm (seniors).

The other Halton club is in Widnes town centre but in the process of moving base.

Jack Washington won the Under 35kg title at Stoke-on-Trent. He holds a white belt with two yellow tabs.

Elizabeth Connor (orange belt with a green tab) took bronze in the U45kg category and ungraded Joshua Whittaker at U30kg. All three medal winners live in Widnes.

The squad which travelled to the Potteries also featured Ainsley Turton, Jamie and Adam Viggers, Thomas and James McFarlane and Matthew Hignett.

Their instructor, meanwhile, is looking forward to a hectic schedule.

David Roberts said: 'We are a non-profit organisation so all the money that is made is going back into the clubs.

'The strongest club at the moment is the one at Hough Green because that is the one I first started.'