MARTIAL ARTS: MARTIAL arts club members are ready to floor the opposition after investing in a training mat.
And just to prove it, an eight-strong team from Go Dojo Judo returned with nine medals from a cross-style competition in South Cheshire.
When the club was formed last year, instructor and 3rd dan black belt David Roberts borrowed a mat from a former coach to get started.
But it is well past its best so, as well as winning trophies, club members have been busy fundraising for a replacement.
However, the purchase has been made possible by the generosity of staff and management at Provident Personal Credit.
Bert Turton, one of the company's area managers, did a sponsored climb in Snow-donia along with some colleagues - raising £600. And their company topped up the fund with a £250 donation.
Bert got involved in the club through his son Ainsley being one of the members. But he has developed an interest himself and has also become a student of the club.
The new £1,400 jigsaw mat is about 30x18ft and meets all the latest health and safety specifications.
It will be used for the first time tonight at St Basil's Club in Hough Green, Widnes.
The club also meets on Tuesdays in Runcorn's Murdishaw Community Centre.
And with a 30-strong membership each side of the river, the new equipment will see plenty of action.
Meanwhile, youngsters from the club can look back on a successful time at the Crewe Back-to-Back Groundwork competition.
This was organised by Crewe Ju-Jitsu club but also open to judo exponents and had fighters competing on their knees.
Go Dojo's team fared as follows: Sydney Ryan, aged five, white belt with three red tabs: gold at U25kg girls and silver guesting in U25kg boys' section.
Josh Whitaker, seven, white belt with four red tabs: bronze at U25kg boys (in different section to Sydney).
Byron Kerr-Dando, 12, yellow belt with orange tab: gold in U50kg boys Sam Osborne, 10, white belt with three yellow tabs: silver in U50kg boys.
Faye Hignett, eight, white belt with three yellow tabs: silver in U35kg girls.
Matthew Hignett, 10, yellow belt with orange tab: bronze in U40kg boys.
Scott Tunstall, 10, yellow belt with two orange tabs: bronze in U60kg boys (competing against boys up to 15).
Elizabeth Connor, 10, orange belt with three green tabs: silver in U45kg girls.
Training times: Murdishaw Community Centre, Runcorn (Tuesdays) - beginners, 7.15-8.15pm; seniors, 8.15-9.15pm.
St Basil's Club, Widnes (Thursdays) - beginners and U7s, 6.30-7.30pm; older children, 7.30-8.30pm; seniors, 8.30-9.30pm.
Go Dojo have been invited to give a demonstration at Halton Show, where they will be giving a lesson in the art to Wire FM radio presenters.
