MARTIAL artists from the South West took part in the fifth Jikishin Summer Camp and competition which took place in Cornwall recently.

Jikishin is a large jujitsu organisation with clubs all over the UK as well as other countries around Europe and as far away as South Africa — their courses are attended by practitioners from all over the UK.

The morning course was followed by team and individual competitions. Within that, there were three categories, empty handed or weapon form, random attacks and kumite. The latter involved all aspect of jujitsu from long range fighting to throwing and ground grappling.

Senseis Umberto Bergonzini and Robert Curtis from the Tavistock and Launceston clubs respectively, combined forces with Neil Craze and Mark Allen from the Jikishin Trewidland club to form the winning team. Umberto also won the individual kumite competition as well as being runner up as the best performing jujitsuka.

Umberto, the Tavistock and Plymouth club instructor, said: 'Winning the kumite competition was the icing on the cake. I was also honoured to have been judged as an outstanding jujitsu practitioner. Now, most of my time is spent teaching and sharing my knowledge and experience to anyone who wants to learn jujitsu. However I might have got the competition bug back!'

Anyone interested in trying jujitsu can call Umberto on 07866 720361 or come to one of the classes which take place in Launceston, and Tavistock. Beginners are always welcome and the first month is free.