MARTIAL ARTS: KATIE Daniels has gone the extra mile to win back her place in the Great Britain U14 judo squad.

The 13-year-old from Alton Street, Crewe, travels at least 200 miles every week to train at the renowned Wolverhampton Judo club twice a week with her dad Malcolm.

Added to competitions across the country at weekends, it seems a serious under-taking for a teenager. But it has paid off after she battled back into the GB squad after a year in the cold.

Dad Malcolm explained: 'Katie was in the squad two years ago, but missed a number of events for various reasons last year and was not involved. So it was nice when she got the letter inviting her back.'

St Thomas More pupil Katie added: 'We do cover a lot of miles but I look forward to going. I even enjoy coming up against bigger girls in competition because it comes down to technique.'

The GB squad is selected on a rankings basis. A string of top performances, including a silver medal at the GMS Classic in Scotland, and a bronze at the Heart of England event in Birmingham, earned her second place overall in the British Judo Association rankings for the Under 44 Kilo category.

Former Crewe Allstar Katie will now link up with the squad for a training cap in Walsall on November 5, and aims to represent her country at the European Championships in Holland next year.

VICTORIA Judo Club's Joshua Wolfendale and Connor Mair turned disappointment into desire to win medals at a tournament in Cardiff.

The nine-year-olds missed out on gongs at the recent North Wales Junior and Senior Closed Championships, while teammates Pete Smith and Daniel Simon grabbed gold, Chloe Millington, Calvin Sproston, Amy Sanderson, Tom Hind and Chloe Tomkinson celebrated silver, and Jessica Mair and Amy Tomkinson got bronze.

But Josh and Connor refused to be deflated, and came good at a tournament in Aberdare near Cardiff. Josh got gold and Connor won bronze, while sister Jessica Mair also came first in her age group.

INSTRUCTOR Sarah Stopforth led by example at the England Regional Shotokan Karate Competition at Barnsley.

Second-dan black belt Sarah spends most of her time coaching youngsters at the Crewe Shotokan Karate Academy along with fellow instructor, husband Ian.

But she put her own skills to the test at the event and beat a number of high-ranking participants to finish fourth in kata (form) and joint fifth in the kumite (sparring) events.

Sarah, of Bedford Street, Crewe, said: 'I'm pleased with the results. I've been training hard and it is now showing in my consistent placing in the final events in national and regional competitions.'

Crewe Shotokan Karate Academy medal classes take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Scout hall in Bedford Street. Call 01270 500717 for any further information.