HAYDEN Quirke is not someone to let a defeat prey on his mind.

After more than ten successive losses, the seven-year-old finally turned the form that he showed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training at Gracie Barra Bradford into competition.

And he did it on a grand stage, winning a gold medal, where the traditional Gi uniform is worn, at the two-day European Championships in Wolverhampton.

The second-biggest BJJ event in the world attracted over 1500 entrants from 35 countries.

It also seemed to help if competitors from Horton Bank Top-based Gracie Barra Bradford had a brother who was competing.

Five-year-old Cade Smith, whose chief weapon was the choke, also won gold, while elder Lucas took silver, fellow brother Logan coming up empty-handed in a large class of 20.

Meanwhile, fellow 12-year-old Ishaq Ali, whose brother Ismail, ten, also competes, also won gold, as did 11-year-old Evan Duncan.

European silver medals also went to seven-year-old Mohammed Rashid, elder brother of Aryan, and 13-year-olds Salmoni Emom (yellow and black belt), who escaped from a triangle choke, and Niamh Dolan-Barnes, who forced an armlock submission.

Also taking silver were 11-year-old Jessica Hipwell, with a classic armbar, and nine-year-old Riley Kelly.

Oliver Butters, nine, also impressed with his grit and intensity, but did not medal in what was only his second major competition.

A bronze went to 11-year-old Evan Duncan, but he made up for it by winning gold in the No-Gi (skin-tight rash guard and shorts) section, as did Cade in a discipline that Gracie Barra Bradford rarely try.

Gracie Barra members warmed up for the Euros by taking a 13-strong team to the Nottingham Championships, where they won eight golds and four silvers.

The Smith brothers were out in force, with Cade and eight-year-old Logan taking gold and Lucas a well-deserved silver.

The Alis also each won gold, despite taking up the sport less than a year ago, while Mohammed Rashid won gold and silver, armbar specialist Evan Duncan took gold and father-and-son Richard and Hayden Quirke also finished first.

Evan O'Hanlon, who is only five and took the sport up less than six months ago, won a debut silver, while, at the other end of the age range, Matt Dossett also took silver in the adults section.

However, the main emphasis of the club, who train at Mercon House, Beacon Road, is on taking part, rather than winning.

Further information is available from 07584-054713 or info@graciebarrabradford.com.