Nine-year-old Jiu-Jitsu champion is from Stourbridge
A talented nine-year-old has gone on to win a silver medal after competing in one of the biggest European Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
Alex Gwilt, from Amblecote in Stourbridge, competed against nearly 500 contestants in the National Junior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship on March 5.
Alex has only been competing for four years - following in his father Stuart's footsteps.
Stuart runs the Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu centre in Halesowen.
Mr Gwilt said: "The tournament he competed in is one of the biggest in Europe. Some of the competitors had even flown in from New York to take part.
"Alex was in a big division with more than 20 other children.
"He had to go through four rounds, which is quite a lot for children.
"It can be very nerve-wracking but it's not just the about the winning or losing but what they learn along the way. They learn some great skills.
"It has improved Alex's confidence lots too. It helps in every area of his life."
Alex trains in Halesowen about four times a week.
He has a grey belt with a black stripe.
Mr Gwilt, who is a black belt himself, added: "I am so proud of him. He also works alongside Professor Bradley Hill in Birmingham who is great.
"The way that Alex conducted himself was beyond his years."
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art, combat sport system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. It eventually came to be its own art through the experiments, practices, and adaptation of judo.
Jiu-Jitsu came to international prominence in the martial arts community in the early 1990s, when Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships, which at the time were single elimination martial arts tournaments.
The National Junior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship took place at Aldersley Stadium in Wolverhampton.
