FUDOSHIN Ju-Jitsu has held its Christmas Games tournament and annual awards ceremony at Dorchester Judo Club.

Some 30 youngsters, aged between five years and 15, competed as four teams in a series of races and physical trials.

Each team was coached by their own Sensei (adult instructor), who demonstrated each of the challenges at the start of the event and then cheered their students on.

The day started with team events, including the break fall relay.

Individual events included hop wrestling, where each competitor balanced on one foot, while holding their other foot behind them.

Taking a grip of their opponent’s jacket, they then attempted to pull and push the other person over.

Similarly, Knights and Horses involved the older/taller students carrying the younger/smaller ones on their back.

The job of the Knight was then to unseat their opponent, without falling off.

There were strength events as well, both one-on-one tug-of-war and a back-to-back pushing competition.

The traditional ground fighting was particularly competitive, as was the sumo event, where each competitor fought to push, pull or throw their opponent out of the circle.

The competition was won by team Sai, with team Katana in second place and teams Nunchaku and Jo sharing third place.

Everyone was awarded a medal and received a chocolate selection box.

At the conclusion, trophies were presented to Josh Clark and Emma Torok, who took the top student awards, with Matthew Mew picking up the award for most improved student.

Clark was also awarded his blue stripe belt by Shihan King.

King was thanked for organising the event and he praised the work of Sensei Nick Maton, Russell Eversden, Rory Coombe, Fred Burnham and Alec McCourtie for their help in running the competition.

New members are always welcome and classes begin again after Christmas at Dorchester Judo Club, Dorchester Leisure Centre and the Gryphon Leisure Centre, Sherborne, during the week beginning Monday, January 7.

Further details can be found from the website britishfudoshin.co.uk or by telephoning 07593830671.