Members of Thanet Judo Kwai in Cliftonville have returned home from the European Aikido Championships with a haul of medals.
Club volunteer teacher Richard Todd took 11 members to the championships in Poland this month.
Members won 5 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals against tough competition from the UK, Ukraine and Poland.
The team includes young people who train in Cliftonville but have international roots, coming from Poland, Russia, India, Pakistan and the UK.
Three Polish team members helped translate a museum tour for the group during their visit.
Thanet Judo Kwai is a volunteer led organisation and the trip was part-funded by the Thanet Lotto grant making it possible for the young people to have an amazing experience.
Two golds were taken by members Tyler and Mark in the adult competition.
Thanet Judo Kwai and Thanet Martial Arts Centre first opened as a Judo club in 1973 and went on to offer Aikido training shortly after.
The dojo has grown to become a fixture of the local community which today offers classes in Judo, Aikido, Bujinkan Taijutsu and Tai Chi. There is also an outdoor area for training and the club even grows vegetables in its garden!
Membership is £10 a month for a child and £15 for adults to train at the club in Zion Place and they can attend up to six sessions a week.
Richard, who has volunteered at the club for 30 years, said: “We have a very inclusive attitude, anyone can come along. We fund lots of things and have members aged from five to 83.
“There is always lovely support, we always go to things as a team and have done well in nationals, southern areas and now Europeans. It gives them confidence.
“People are always welcome to come and see us and try it out.”
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