KIDDERMINSTER karate kids Connor Porter and Curtis Jones took the top two prizes by using home advantage to see off international rivals on their own patch.

The young members of Winspers Schools of BlackBelts won gold and silver in the Boys 135cm division of the Ichiban Open, held at the Glades Arena.

Connor, aged nine, and eight-year-old Curtis met each other in the final after easing their way through the preliminary rounds.

Attracting international competitors from as far as Italy, the youth tournament focused on safe, fun, semi-contact style karate.

Connor and Curtis, who are both blacbelts, put into practice punches, kicks and throws they learned in class at Winspers in New Road.

The duo are now preparing fortheir next event in Dublin in November.

Anyone interested in competing in martial arts tournaments should contact Winspers Schools of BlackBelts on 01562 865195.

KIDDERMINSTER East Dojo club returned home with six gold and two bronze medals from the GKR Regional 2005 Championships at Crystal Palace.

Rob Martyr clinched golds in the Male aged 21-34 kata and kumit categories, while Wendy Guest also celebrated double gold in the Senor veteran female over-45 kata and kumite.

There were also top prizes for Glenn Griffin in the Veteran male aged 34-44 kata and Vince Godson in the Senior veteran male over 45 kata.

Sam Donaldson bagged a bronze in the Male & female aged nine kata with Sarah Craven doing likewise in the Veteran female aged 34-44 kata.

Also competing in the competition were Sensei Neil Browes, Sempi Steve Sidaway, Trevor Dyer, Philip Garfield, Stacie Chamberlain, Courtney Browes, Conor Craven, Jake Craven, Jade Davis and Ryan Davis.

The group trains at St Ambrose School, in Leswell Street, from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesdays.