TYLDESLEY Judo Club is celebrating a host of successes at junior and senior levels.

Eleven-year-old Thomas Delve has become the British Sambo Champion at 30-35kgs. Sambo is Russian wrestling.

Jacob Kinney (11) of Firs Lane, Leigh and Simon Rookyard of Squires Lane, Tyldesley started their competitive careers with bronze medals in the Greater Manchester Championships.

Examination successes have gone to Steven Meadows (10) of Surrey Avenue, Leigh who has obtained 8th Mon orange belt with two red stripes.

Brothers Oliver and Gregory Jackson (10 & 9) of Church Road, Astley, along with Jacob Kinney and Simon Rookyard, all obtained 6th Mon Top Yellow belts with three red stripes.

After only 11 months in the sport, 20-year-old Chris Penkywicz of Wigan Road, Leigh has gone from beginner through all eight Kyu grades to obtain 1st Kyu (top Brown Belt). He is now in full training for the coveted Black Belt.

The club's top senior coach, Kevin Kinney of Sumner Street, Atherton, has recently been awarded his 5th Dan competitively. At 36 he is one of the youngest fighting 5th Dan's in the country.

Mel Dodd of First Avenue, Astley, the club's junior coach and BJA North West Area examiner, was awarded his 3rd Dan by the British Judo Association Promotion Commission for his efforts and contribution to the development of judo in the area for over 35 years.

The club is always on the lookout for new members. Anyone interested should contact the secretary on 700073 or call at the club on practice nights, Monday and Thursday, at 7pm. The headquarters is in the gym above Tyldesley Voluntary Community Centre, Upper George Street, Tyldesley.