SENSEI Mumtaz Khan had a special reason for winning gold at the Bushido Academy Northern Championships in Chester.

Khan, who is senior club coach at Bradford-based Onna Ju-Jitsu Club, won the women's continuous fighting category and dedicated it to her elder brother Haqnawaz (Andy), who passed away in August.

She recalled being bullied in the school playground when she was five and Andy jumping in to rescue her, saying: "I can't be there to protect you all the time so you need to fight back."

The Chester outing was also a special day for Onna Ju-Jitsu Club, whose squad of 14 broke their record for medals won at one event (15).

It was a reward for hard work by the students, who have prospered under Sensei Babar Raheem and Sempei Adeeb Hussain, who is the squad's development leader.

The medal tally was kicked off by Senseis Eesa Yunis, who is only 12, and Yoosuf Ghani, who took gold and silver respectively in the empty-hands kata category.

Yunis won three golds in all with an impressive preying mantis kata, while Ghani's silver was on his competitive debut.

Senseis Ismail Ghani, 17, and Ibrahim Yunis followed hot on their heels with a silver and bronze in the cadet category for empty-hands kata, Ghani having received coaching from Eesa Yunis – highlighting the fact that knowledge can be imparted regardless of age.

Senior club coach Khan secured a silver in the sandan form kata, also in the empty-hands kata category.

Sensei Idrees Haider won the club's first medal at weapons kata category, achieving a bronze with an excellent rendition of the sai kata, and added a bronze in ground fighting.

One of the more notable wins came from another 12-year-old, Sensei Safa Zahid, who fought boys who towered over her but won a bronze.

Senseis Jabila Khan, progress leader at St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic Grammar School, and Mumtaz Khan secured silver and bronze in the women's ground fighting category, debutant Jabila also taking a bronze in the women's continuous fighting category, leaving Sensei Mumtaz to fight in the final.

Senseis Tegan Johnson, 16, and Maryam Khan, 15, won the club's first pairs demonstration medals, securing two bronzes after primarily being coached by Sempei Adeeb Hussain – famed within the British Ju-Jitsu Association for his acrobatic and theatrical skills in martial arts.

Onna's final medal of the day went to Sensei Maleehah Hussain, who competed hard in the continuous fighting category right up to the final, in which she led but had to retire due to a dislocated left knee.

The club would like to especially thank Dr Michele Sun-Wai and Dr Tracey Monerville, students of Wakarishin Ju-Jitsu Club, for their care and assistance in helping Hussain before the paramedics arrived.

The British Ju-Jitsu Association (GB), with assistance from Onna Ju-Jitsu Club, are currently developing an exciting training programme which will be launched at the Active Bradford Conference taking place later this year, enabling every child in the district to learn ju-jitsu.

Schools interested in the programme and students interested in learning ju-jitsu should contact Sensei Khan on 07877-466818 or e-mail mumtazbkhan@hotmail.com for enrolment or further details.