A BRADFORD martial artist has been selected to represent the United Kingdom at a global event, after just three years practising a new combat sport.

Mark Spencer (43) is an experienced MMA fighter and coach. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Kickboxing but has only trained in Kudo, since 2020.

He has recently been selected for the UK team which will compete in the sixth Kudo World Championships in Japan. The tournament was delayed by the pandemic but is now taking place in May 2023. During it, Mark Spencer is likely to face opponents from teams including Japan, Russia, Spain and France.

He commented: “I am delighted to be selected for the UK squad and it’s especially exciting to be competing in Japan. I have always had an affinity for Japanese martial arts and I regard the country as the home of combat sport.

“When I fly out to the Worlds, it will only be my third year of training and learning Kudo.”

Spencer added: “I was originally selected to represent the UK at the 2021 Worlds which due to travel restrictions did not happen. So I attended a training camp in France and took part in the black-belt selections and fights. Then I competed in Rome at the Italian Open where I took third in the largest category.

“In 2022, I managed to come away with the most wins and finishes of the UK squad, also I was the only person in the UK to grade at two international events.

“At 43, I understand the challenges ahead of me, but I have made some pretty big changes to my training and I am looking forward to this next step in my Kudo journey.”

Mark Spencer is also creating a series of videos to share this journey to the Kudo World Championships. He is releasing these on his social media channels ( @sbg_bradford and @thefightcoach ).

Kudo is a full-contact sport originating in Japan. It combines techniques from Judo and Karate. Mark Spencer - who runs SBG Bradford/Team Fulinkazan at Planet Fitness in Wibsey - recently achieved the rank of brown belt in Kudo and won a Gold medal in a major European tournament.

Mark Spencer has competed in professional Mixed Martial Arts and BJJ for over 20 years. His wife Marie is also an experienced MMA and BJJ competitor and has represented England in international tournaments.

SBG Bradford/Team Fulinkazan Kudo classes are open to anyone over 16. They take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm.

The gym also offers weekly classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Combat Martial Arts.

It was only in January that SBG Bradford/Team Fulinkazan moved to Planet Fitness in Coral Mills on Halifax Road.

Despite the move from Sunbridge Road, which was fully completed on Tuesday, January 10, it has been business as usual for the club in 2023.

On the move,Spencer said: “We are delighted to be now running our classes at Planet Fitness. The new venue has great facilities and is easily accessible. We hope this` location will create more opportunities for people to enjoy our classes.”