A FATHER and son from North Tawton have fought their way to championship success after taking part in a martial arts contest in London.

Carl Cooper and his son Archie competed at the TYGA World Open Martial Arts Championships at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London.

Archie, aged 15, was competing in his first major championships.

He entered the TYGA Karate U16s World Kickboxing event where he made it through to the semi-final and got a bronze medal.

Following this success Archie entered the International Street-fighting Union World Martial Arts Olympics. The event consists of power punching, power kicking, grip strength, self defence demonstration, short and long knife fighting and stick fighting.

Archie became the ISU junior grand champion, for getting the most points over all the events.

Then the energetic teenager was off to help his dad win gold in the veterans' self defence demonstration.

He is trained by his dad Carl Cooper, who teaches his own Toxic Fighting System Self Defence in Exeter and has who won four World titles and the title ISU veteran grand champion at the weekend.

Carl told the Times: 'I am  not only proud of what Archie has achieved himself but i am also thankful for the help he gave me to win gold in the self defence contest.'

Judges were so impressed that Archie has been asked to compete in the ISU third International Streetfighting Cup on the island of Rhodes in Greece in May 2013.