BRAVE young fighters from a Cradley Heath kickboxing club came out on top in a competition of close fought contests in Birmingham.

For five of them it was their first competitive encounter with only Harvey Adlam having sparred before in front of judges.

The nine-year-old, from Cradley Heath, won his fight at the Back in Brum event as did rookie Yusuf Ahmad, aged six, from Halesowen.

Her brother Sumayya Ahmad, aged nine, was a runner up, along with Craig Heath, from Halesowen, and Josh Bullock, aged six, from Dudley.

There was no match for Matilda Billingham, aged seven from Cradley Heath, but the gutsy youngster performed well in a demonstration fight against a bigger opponent.

The children are members of React Martial Arts, which runs clubs at Haden Hill Leisure Centre and St Michael’s CE High School; Rowley Regis.

Coach Arron Walker said: “For most of them this was their first competition and it was a massive achievement for them.”

The event, organised by the British Light Continuous Council, attracted around 70 child and adult fighters.

Kickboxing champs, front from left Matilda Billingham, Josh Bullock, Yusuf Ahmad Back from left, Harvey Adlam, Craig Heath and Sumayya

Ahmad.