Bath's Gio Marchese had a extra cause for celebration after lifting the under-63kg title at the WAKO British Championships in Birmingham last weekend.
The 28-year-old from Odd Down not only put himself in the frame for a place in the Great Britain squad but also watched with pride as one of his students, Carmen Jones, triumphed in the girls' under-28kg division at Cocks Moors Leisure Centre.
"To win the WAKO British Championships is the biggest honour on our domestic UK circuit," said Marchese.
"Winning this tournament also selects you for WAKO GB squad sessions. I was happy as I am looking to progress from the England squad, which I have been on for four years, to the Great Britain one and have now put myself in a very strong position to do so"
Jones, 12, hails from Stanton Drew and trains with Marchese's Martial Lifestyle group at Chew Valley.
"I have trained Carmen for nearly two years," added Marchese.
"This sweet-smiling, tiny girl has the most potential and skill that I have ever seen in any young child.
"She is fast, flexible, accurate, technical, has a real fighting spirit and loves to win.
"After her first year training I awarded her the student of the year prize and during the second she won all of our inter-club, regional a a couple of national tournaments for her weight class.
"As a reward I decided to give her a shot at the British Championships and she took the opportunity with both hands. I have been coaching kids for five years and this has to be my proudest moment as a coach."
Marchese is back in action at the Irish Open International in Dublin on March 1-3.
He holds classes for 4-15 year olds at the Freedom Through Dance Studios on Moorland Road from 4.30-6.30pm on Mondays and at Chew Valley Leisure Centre on Friday nights.
For more information, visit www.martiallifestyle.com or call 01179 244004.
