SWINDON’S Phoenix Martial Arts Centre is celebrating success at an international tournament after they collected a total of 13 medals at the PUMA International Open held in the town.

In total, nine of the school’s taekwondo and kickboxing students took part in the tournament, with achieving four gold, four silver and five bronze medals across a range of categories.

Christine O’Bey, from Covingham, secured back-to-back titles after defending her crown from the previous year.

She demonstrated excellent technique and skill to retain the title and followed that up with a bronze medal for sparring.

It was also a successful day for Walcot 10-year-old Sam Abay, who won his first-ever competition, performing superbly against some very tough opponents.

Jacob Law, aged 14 from Eldene, won gold for patterns and silver for sparring and another student to impress was Nythe’s Richard Lane, from Nythe, who also won two medals – gold for sparring and silver for patterns.

Lane’s performance was particularly impressive as he made a step up in category. Taking on much more experienced opponents, he emerged victorious from some tough battles against some very hard opposition.

Other winners included seven-year-old Jasmine Roux-Nel, from Nythe, and Moredon’s James Chivers. Both managed to win a pair of bronze medals each, while 12-year-old Cody O’Bey, from Covingham, won a silver medal.

Club instructor Frank Wall from Eldene led from the front as well, achieving a silver medal to seal an extremely successful weekend for the club.

To find out more about Phoenix Martial Arts & Fitness, visit www.phoenix-ma.co.uk or call chief instructor John Newman on 07828 273055.