DIMINUTIVE Sean Barber packed a punch to scoop the only second degree judo junior black belt in Crewe.
The 11-year-old schoolboy, who is just 4ft 1in tall, regularly pulls off David v Goliath feats to lift trophies on the martial arts circuit at disciplines including judo, submission wrestling, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
The Crewe Judo Club ace has been involved in judo since the age of five and has won 39 gold, five silver and seven bronze medals at tournaments around the country, in addition to lifting four county titles and five national titles in judo and submission wrestling.
Now he has been awarded the first ever second degree judo junior black belt in the town, and just the third in the country. His instructor Chris Sharpe said: 'Sean is really dedicated to the sport.
'His commitment and attitude to training has really paid off during the six years he has been training. He never misses a training session and is proof that you don't need to be big to excel at martial arts. When you do it right, as Sean does, you use your opponent's strength against themselves.
'Sean isn't worried whom he trains or competes with, often fighting against people older, taller or heavier than himself in competitions. He is well known on the circuit and is always the competitor other fighters want to beat. But he always seems to come out on top.'
Sean, a Sandbach School pupil, trains at Crewe Judo Club and Ren Bu Kai Academy, based at Fitness First, Crewe. He got his new grade on special recommendation from sensei Paul Griffin, president of the British National Martial Arts Association.
Childrens' sessions take place at Fitness First, West Street on Sundays (1- 2.30pm). Adults train on Sundays (2.30-4pm) and Wednesdays (8.30-9.30pm). For information visit: www.crewejudoclub.2ya.com or ring 07835 639515.
