HEREFORD’S Combat Academy members have been collecting medals at martial arts events throughout the UK and abroad.

Assistant coach Patrick Baker heads the list with a bronze medal in the purple belt under 88.3-kg category at the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation European Championships in Lisbon. Dave Hyde (gold) and Mark Thomas (bronze) competed in the Spartan Grapple Challenge in Nailsea.

At the Hereford Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Open at Hereford Leisure Centre, the Combat Academy team collected 12 gold, 14 silver and seven bronze medals, including a strong performance from their junior team.

Dave Hyde narrowly missed out on a trip to Abu Dhabi for the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships when he finished second in the UK qualifying event in Dartford. There was some consolation a week later when Hyde collected another silver medal at The Bristol Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships.

The Combat Academy karate team competed at the English Contact Karate Association Tipton Open and collected three gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

At the Welsh Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships, there was more success for the Academy team who finished second behind the host club with a haul of seven gold, seven silver and two bronze medals. The Combat Academy team is now busy preparing for The British Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships at the NEC in Birmingham this month.