MARIUS Ling twice struck gold as Poole Ju-jitsu Club enjoyed a hugely successful trip to the Bushido Championships in Chester.

Some 250 competitors took part with Ling among five Poole members to compete, enjoying double success in the process.

Ling, who has trained at the club for more than three years, is now due to attend the British Championships in April.

Green belt Karen Nuttall picked up one gold and one silver, the latter medal coming after she was denied by a split decision.

It was a particularly impressive feat given that Nuttall competed against more experienced fighters in her first time at the championships.

George Pearce, 14, defied the odds as he earned a bronze medal despite being the youngest competitor in his section.

Also in attendance were eight-year-olds Matthew Davis and Lan Purcell, who competed in tough categories and were even matched against each other.

Purcell won the round before going on to top the sparring category and pick up his first gold medal.

Davis was just outside the medal positions but was named junior sportsman of the day.

Poole senior instructor Andy Walker said: “It was a busy weekend and some of the best fighters were in attendance.

"Taking medals away from some of the major clubs was a triumph and was duly noted by the Bushido Academy’s senior instructors.”

Anyone interested in joining Poole Ju-jitsu Club should visit pooleju-jitsu.com.