Kuon Ji Ju-Jitsu Association’s Oswaldtwistle Club held its annual Closed Championships involving junior and adult students.

It was a great evening held at the club's training venue at West End Community Centre in Oswaldtwistle.

The Association’s head coach Tony Gregson was also invited along as part of the judging panel.

The competition was split between male and female competitors with Laurel Pilkington for the girls and Wesley Davitt for the boys – the seven-year-olds being the youngest in each category.

All the competitors did well, showing skill and determination to win the coveted gold medals.

The pick of the bouts was in the boys’ section when Tom Ridehalgh (14) and Devon Neale (13) battled through their full bout, only to draw and then have to fight into extra time with Ridehalgh eventually coming out on top.

Tom’s younger brother Harvey also won gold in his category, making it a golden night for the Ridehalgh family.

Of the girls’ section, the standout fight of the night was between Megan Jackson (13) and Kelsey Oakes (11).

Both girls put everything they had into it with Megan just about clinching it at the end again after extra time.

The senior womens section was won by Janet Durkan, who had to get past her daughter Siobhan before getting her hands on the gold medal beating Natalie Tyldesley in the final.

The senior mens category was predictably a hard fought contest with some bruising encounters along the way.

Andy Hodge eventually came out on top winning the grand final against David Millen.

Dean Thompson and Shane Walsh both collected bronze medals

Along with the medals won on the night, there were three other awards presented:

  • Best Boys Fighter - went to Joseph Entwistle age 11
  • Best Girls Fighter - went to Megan Jackson age 13
  • Best Senior Fighter - went to Andy Hodge age 40