ITS been quite a last few months for a young martial artist from Okehampton.

Since becoming Amateur Judo Association national champion in March 2011 Ella Percival has competed in the Peter Murphy Western Area competition, winning gold in impressive style.

In May Ella went to Mielo in Holland with the AJA national squad and competed in her first international competition abroad, from which she gained valuable fighting experience.

In July Ella took part in the Kent International at Crystal Palace in London and won a bronze medal.

Ella, 13, also won bronze at the West of England Open competition, fighting girls under 16. Ella competed in the U52kg category at the BJA Heart of England in Birmingham where she came close to securing a place in the final - losing in extra time to an England squad player. Ella was placed third and is now looking forward to competing at the BJA British Nationals in October at the most prestigious event in the British junior judo calendar.