A father and son from Ludlow Judo Club proved a big hit as they got to grips with a couple of medals at the Midlands Area Championships in Walsall.
Stuart Richards took silver in his category while 10-year-old son Ryan did even better by emerging with an excellent gold in his junior section.
It was the first time the pair had featured in an event together and Stuart – also a coach at Ludlow Boxing Club – was delighted.
“I was a very proud father,” he said. “This was the first time we have competed together and I was chuffed to see Ryan get gold.
“We’ve both been involved for 18 months. Ryan wanted to start judo so I took him to the club and I also got the bug. The rest, they say, is history.”
Head coach Colin Dodd was delighted with the performances of all the competitors from the club, and admitted it was unusual to have a father and son competing together.
Remarkably, however, there were two father and son combinations with Wayne and Charlie Barnfield also taking part at Walsall, although they were unable to get among the medals.
“In my time with the club, which has been going eight years, there have been no dads competing with their lads – and then you get two at once,” he said.
“It’s very rare, particularly when the son comes out on top!
“It was a good day for the club. We had 12 players there and most came away with medals. We were very proud of them all.”
Jennifer Smith, 12, was another Ludlow competitor to make her mark as she took gold in her category.
Sisters Kate and Ellie Grehan were also among the medals with 12-year-old Kate landing a silver in her category while Emma, eight, took bronze.
Mia Crump, an-eight-year old, won a silver in her category while 13-year-old Jack Tosh was a bronze winner.
Helping Colin at the club is his wife Sally, while the coaches include daughter Kayleigh Dodd, a first dan former British international, and Ian Harrington. There are around 100 members in all.
