Mid Sussex Martial Arts standout Martyn Woodhead topped the medal rostrum at the British Championships for the fifth consecutive year at iceSheffield.

The 15-year-old. a long-time member of the club, was among 695 competitors in the steel city for one of the highlights of the domestic junior calendar.

Martyn competed in the heavyweight category for boys under 16 years of age.

In his first contest against Kieran Miles (Watts Blake Bearne) Martyn threw him with a left-handed ankle sweep (Ko-uchi-gari) before holding him for 25 seconds in Kesa Gatame earning him a maximum Ippon score.

Jack Hodgson (Cherry) was next to compete against Martyn and it ended quickly with Martyn throwing him with a text book Osoto Gari for another Ippon, enabling Martyn to progress to the Finals.

Following the flag ceremony and the introduction of the fighters to the audience, Martyn competed against Harris Kekic (Ernest Bevin Phoenix) and in convincing style threw him for wazari (Ko-uchi Gari) before holding him in Kesa Gatame until the referee stopped the contest.

Martyn then became the BJA National Champion for 2011, retaining this title for the fifth consecutive year.

2011 British Champion Martyn Woodhead

Commenting afterwards, Roger Payne, MSMAS Founder, said: “Martyn continues to inspire all the junior judo players at MSMAS by his ongoing competitive success at Club, County, Regional and now again, this time at the ‘British Nationals’.

"Along with our totally FREE Junior & Youth Judo Programme at MSMAS we also offer for Adults, traditional Aikido, competitive BJA Judo, Iaido, Kendo & BJJ. So we welcome everyone, young and old, experienced or Novice, plus of course complete beginners! Why not give us a call on 01444 318422.”

For more information visit the The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School website www.msmas.org