IT’S not very often you get to witness two family members both fighting for major sporting titles in the same week, but that was the case for one Bradford woman.

Kelly Quirke travelled to Coventry’s Warwick University to see her son Hayden, 13, and husband Richard, 40, compete in the jiu-jitsu British Open in May, a competition held annually.

The event sees competitors go against each other for a British title and Quirke’s youthful son battled it out in the teen’s section at yellow belt, while her husband competed in the master’s section at purple belt.

Both Hayden and Richard who train at Bradford’s Gracie Barra, won their respective events, the former on May 20 and the latter on May 21, making it the second time both family members have claimed victories at the same competition.

A proud Quirke confirmed the pairs’ love for the sport but admitted that their journey into jiu-jitsu was something that needed to happen.

She said: “We live in the BD5 area of Bradford, which is pretty deprived, so we were determined to keep Hayden off the streets whilst he was growing up. We wanted to get him into something worthwhile instead of him just hanging around the area, and that’s when we found jiu-jitsu. He started in August 2015 and with Richard taking him so often to classes, he took an interest in the sport himself and began to really enjoy it, so he got properly started with it in September of 2016. They’ve both been going ever since and they absolutely love it.

Quirke added: “They train at Gracie Barra five days a week, and Richard has started to run a class on Saturday mornings that Hayden helps out with. So, it’s a big part of their life and I enjoy being their biggest supporter.”

Hayden’s mother admitted that going to jiu-jitsu has had a hugely positive impact on her son’s life, saying: “When Hayden first started jiu-jitsi he was really shy and lacked a bit of confidence, but he’s now blossomed into a confident teenager and I’m really happy with his development. He’s laidback now and he knows how to cope with stressful situations because this sport can be stressful, so he’s learnt how to deal with pressure. It can only bode well for him in the future.”

Despite it being the second time both Hayden and Richard have won at the same competition, it’s the former’s third time at winning a British title, while the latter claimed his fourth title in Coventry - once at white belt, twice at blue belt and once at purple belt.

Quirke, who travels to watch her family compete at every opportunity, admitted she never gets tired of that winning feeling.

She said: “It’s amazing going to watch them and I’m so proud of the pair of them. Of course, I do get nervous and worried at points because it is a combat sport, but the adrenaline and excitement helps me to overcome them fears.

“Some people have asked me why I don’t do it to complete the full circle, but I’m okay; I love being the cheerleader on the side who takes pictures and videos. They compete a lot and that winning feeling never disappears. Seeing them win together makes it even more special.”