PROGRESSIVE martial arts club Onna Ju-Jitsu have surpassed themselves by returning from the British Championships in Birmingham with a best-ever haul of 21 medals.

Leading the way for the Bradford club were Sensei Eessa Ghani and Karolina Kowalcyzk, who both won gold medals, despite the national event attracting hundreds of entrants from around the country.

Ghani not only upheld his family's honour – they all train at the club – at Walsall by winning the continuous fighting 79-83kg category for 14-15 year olds, he also held his nerve in what was his first win in competition.

Kowalcyzk reaped the rewards of focusing on one specific area by winning the continuous fighting for junior females over 60kg.

However, in some ways they were overshadowed by Safa Zahid, who got on the podium three times, taking a silver for continuous fighting and bronze medals for empty hands kata and weapons kata.

The significance of these medals in what was dubbed 'The Safa Show' by fellow Onna members was that critics within the club had previously suggested that she be dropped from the team for not being good enough.

But, as Mr Miyagi from the Karate Kid movie once said: "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher say, student do!"

Safa's triple medal haul was a reward for the belief shown in her by Sensei Mumtaz Khan and her fellow team or club members.

Senseis Yoosuf Ghani and Eesa Yunis also achieved silvers for their dynamic pairs demonstration, which they hope to repeat in an international event later this month at Southend-on-Sea.

Eesa also secured a further silver for his empty hands kata and a bronze for continuous fighting.

Sensei M Omair Khan narrowly missed out on a medal last year but was determined to achieve one this time around, and he went home with two medals – a silver for his empty hands kata and a bronze for continuous fighting.

Sensei Tegan Johnson, the club's first female to achieve Gold Tab 12 status, took bronze in the continuous fighting 54kg category for 16-17 year olds.

Weighing in at 54kg, she was the lightest and smallest in her section but fought with true grit against much heavier, larger opponents, and also supported and encouraged her team-mates throughout the day.

Bronzes also went to debutant Sensei Jabila Khan in the continuous fighting for women under-62kg, proving that age is no barrier to success, and an overjoyed Sensei Adeeb Hussain in the continuous fighting for men under-62kg, despite being the lightest in the category at 54kg.

Other Onna bronze medallists were brothers and Senseis M Danyaal (continuous fighting) and M Zakawaan Hussain (empty hands kata), Ryaan Kureshi, who took a first medal in continuous fighting, and Sensei Ibrahim Yunis in both the continuous fighting and empty hands kata.

Sibling bronze medals also went, on competition debut, to Senseis Faizaan and Sulaimaan Salim in the 13-15 years continuous fighting category – Faizaan at 43-49kg and Sulaimaan at 70-73kg.

Sensei Mumtaz Khan thanked Sensei Babar Raheem for his invaluable training in ground fighting skills and, although he narrowly missed out on a medal here, she is confident that he will get there in future.

His debut fight left everyone speechless as his groundwork dominated the match, resulting in him applying three consecutive arm bars.

Senseis Mumtaz Khan, Tahira Afzal, Asma Mayat and Rashad Yunis all made their officiating debuts at the Championships, which is a stepping stone to Onna holding their first competition later this year – to which other clubs will be invited to take part.

With support from the national governing body, the British Ju-Jitsu Association, it will be for women only, and the officials and spectators will also be women, enabling women and girls from Muslim backgrounds to compete.

Sensei Martin Dixon, the British Ju-Jitsu Association's chairman, was also thanked for all his support.

Onna Ju-Jitsu Club are starting a number of new sessions for beginners.

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Sensei Mumtaz Khan on 07877-466818 and/or visit the club's website on www.onnajujitsuclub.com.