NATHON Burns has been holding judo masterclasses across the country and Europe but it was the one closer to home that meant the most.

The Blackburn-born ace was back at Beach Judo Club - a club formed and run by his dad Joe Burns Senior and where his judo journey began.

Burns, along with fellow Great Britain international Craig Fallon, have been touring the country holding masterclasses to help raise funds for them to compete at the many international events coming up throughout the year.

However, back on his home turf, Burns wavered his fees to give both youngsters and adults a masterclass to remember.

Nearly 100 senior and junior judokas turned up at the special event held at Westbury Gardens United Reformed Church.

The event proved to be so popular that two sessions were held for junior and seniors.

As well as an expected big turnout from members of Beach Judo Club, the masterclass attracted members from clubs from Sandbach, Kendal, Bacup, Blackpool, SKK St Helens, Craven, Chorley, Burnley and Preston.

Burns, who is a GB Open winner, narrowly missed out on selection for the Rio Olympics while Fallon is a former world champion so there was plenty of interest.

The junior sessions were fun based with the aim of developing their knowledge of Taio-otoshi - the body drop move in judo.

Burns Senior was delighted to see so many people turn up.

He said: “The turnout was magnificent, we had people coming from far and wide. It is not often you get a world champion and a British Open champion at your club and everyone wanted to train and be coached by Craig and Nathon.

“It was a special evening for Nathon as well. This is his home club, where it all started for him so to be able to hold one of his masterclasses in Blackburn meant a lot to him.

“I am incredible proud of him for what he has achieved and how hard he has worked to get to where he is.

“The pair of them are holding theses masterclasses to raise much needed funds but Nathon did this one for free because that is how much Blackburn means to him.”

The later session for adults was more technical with Burns and Fallon concentrating on teaching how to move into and out of throws.

While Burns senior was delighted to see so many adults in attendance, he said it was the youngsters who enjoyed it the most.

“It was a night to remember for the youngsters,” added Burns Senior who organised the visit. “They all did very well and loved getting the chance to fight both Nathon and Craig.”

“The feedback we have received has been great, especially from the young ones. They are the future of the sport so to see so many excited faces getting to work with Craig and Nathon and have their photos taken and get their belts signed was very special.”

Burns, who is a member of Camberley Judo Club, travelled down to Devon the following day for another masterclass. The pair have been in demand up and down the country and have also been to Stuttgart.