AN Andover grappling expert has claimed gold at an international competition, held in America.

Trevor Birmingham, instructor of Andover's Brazillian Jiu Jitsu club and part of the Kyouken Martial Arts Centre, recently travelled to New York to compete in the North American Grappling Association's (NAGA) World Championships.

Mr Birmingham won the coveted 2015 Gi title belt as well as two silvers in the No Gi championships.

Trevor who teaches in Andover at Kyouken Martial Arts Centre and Exile Gym in Southampton, is now preparing for a three week tour of BJJ competitions across Brazil.

Meanwhile back in the UK one of his students, Mike McGarry, dominated the masters division of the Bournemouth BJJ Open to bring back the Gold.

Mike also dominated a challenge match on the notorious Mat five of the Bournemouth Open, quickly taking his opponent down with a Tomoe Nage and racking up points with knee on belly, side control, mount and rear mount.

Mike hunted for the submission with several strangles and an arm bar, finally tapping his opponent with his own modified Tsuki Komi Jime choke, 20 seconds before the end of the match.

Anyone interested in learning BJJ should contact Mike on 07758 773302 or on facebook on Kyouken MMA and Jiu Jitsu group.