Pair earn special gold at judo event (From Free Press Series)

Pair earn special gold at judo event

Two disabled members of Trevethin Judo club have returned to Pontypool with gold medals after taking part in a recent World championships.

The teenage pair, 16-year-old Ben Warburton and Sarah Gratton, who is 17, travelled to the tournament in Italy to face competitors from a host of countries including England, Wales, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Holland.

But the duo were not intimidated by the international competition, taking two of the top prizes.

Ben had to come through three fights to claim his title while Sarah triumphed in four bouts at the World Championships held on May 14-15.

Coach Phil Selway, who trains disabled and able-bodied members at Trevethin Judo Kwai, was delighted with the pair's success.

"I was surprised they won gold but they thoroughly deserved it after their performances," he said.

"There were 12 competitors from Wales and only two from our club so it was great they both did so well."

The two now face a busy summer of competition with Ben Due to compete in the Welsh Judo Open on June 18 and Sarah scheduled to fight in the Bradley Stoke Club Championships On May 29-30 before travelling to Glasgow on July 1 for the special Olympics.

Mr Selway added: "You can never tell what's going to happen in competition but I'm sure Ben and Sarah have got a very bright future in the sport."