Last month local judo player Ashleigh Barnikel travelled to Walsall to compete in the Midland Area Heart of England Judo Championships.

Ashleigh used a variety of throws, holds and strangles to defeat her opponents and come away with a gold medal. She is now firmly placed in the top 10 in Britain in her weight category and has been invited to compete at the British Championships next month in Sheffield.

Two other senior players, Barry Watson and Rob Thomson, had the honour of representing Wales in the Commonwealth Judo Championships, also held in Walsall.

Both judoka competed with immense pride, narrowly missing out to players from South Africa, England and Scotland.

Both will be in action again soon at the Welsh Closed Championships and at the British Masters.