GRACIE Barra Bradford are one of the most successful jiu-jitsu clubs in the country, proven by their stunning performance at the Junior National Championships late last month.

Twenty gold medals were secured by the club, making them the best performers in the whole country.

Delighted co-owner and programme director at Gracie Barra Bradford, Sam McGinty, said: “These were the first National Championships since Covid, and this was our best effort yet at a major tournament.

“There are the World, European, British and National Championships and we took a team of 31 down to these Nationals, the first of those four majors this year.

“We ended up with 20 gold medals, 14 silvers and eight bronzes down in Wolverhampton.

“Of the different jiu-jitsu affiliations, Gracie Barra won the most points at the Nationals, but the Bradford branch did best of all the teams so we got to take home the team trophy.”

Sadly there is no progression in jiu-jitsu to national squads or the Olympics, but there is one young star to keep an eye on.

McGinty said: “Evan Duncan, who’s 15, won in the highest category at the Nationals and he’s someone that pretty much wins everything.

“He’s actually one of eight selected UK ambassadors for Gracie Barra and has been for the last three years.”

Duncan is not the only talented teen prospect at Gracie Barra Bradford, with 15-year-old Jessica Hipwell saying: “I really enjoy competing and each competition overwhelms me with excitement.

“The worst thing is the lack of competitors my age. I would really love to challenge myself to compete in multiple fights.

“My fight (at the Nationals) was short but I managed to stick to my plan, despite my opponent being much taller than me.”

And Hamas Hussain’s parents said: “He joined Gracie Barra eight months ago and has competed in four competitions.

“The Nationals was his first gold medal win.

“He’s grown in confidence and is really enjoying his jiu-jitsu.”

On what’s coming up for Gracie Barra Bradford, McGinty said: “The next big one for our juniors is the British Championships in June, then the Worlds a month later, though we have a few smaller competitions before then.

“We’re so lucky to have all four of the major junior championships in the UK, as it’s easy to get the kids to them.”

Gracie Barra is proving more and more popular at present, with McGinty saying: “We’ve had a lot of people come back over the last few months with Covid restrictions lifting.

“There was a point where we had to limit numbers for classes around Christmas, but we’ve put some more on now so people can come to them.

“People wanted to get out and come here after two years of Covid restrictions, so we’ve had a lot come back, but also plenty joining too.”