UMBERTO Bergonzini, the Tavistock and Plymouth Jujitsu club instructor, and his son Luca Bergonzini have just returned from attending the third jujitsu winter camp in the Italian Alps.

The event was hosted by CSR Jujitsu Italia with guest instructors from Belgium, Poland and Sweden.

Umberto, said: 'We had a fantastic time, filled with lots of hard training but at the same time with lots of fun especially when we took the day trip to Oberregen where we spent the day skiing, snowboarding and sledging. We all learnt a lot from the guest instructors, some of the best in the world. It was also good to share training tips and experiences with so many practitioners. All in all a wonderful experience and I am already looking forward to next year's camp."

Luca entered a grading examination, which he passed with flying colours achieving the grade of nikyu which is represented by a brown belt with two tabs. He's now only two steps away from the coveted black belt.

Umberto added: 'I was very proud of him as an instructor but also as a father. It was no easy task to grade in front of a panel made up of three international sensei all ranking black belt eighth dan - Piero Rovigatti Goju Ryu Jujitsu (Italy), Antonio Garcia Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu (Belgium) and Jacek Wysocki Aikido (Poland). I got quite emotional when they all complimented him for doing so well and shaking his hand.'

This month the clubs are running beginner's courses. Contact Umberto on 07866 720361 or go to one of the classes in Launceston, Tavistock or Tamerton Foliot in Plymouth.