TWO martial arts siblings have claimed European gold medal glory. 

Twelve-year-old Rory, pictured below, and Oliver Anderson, 10, produced stunning performances at the Junior European Championship in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, held in Walsall on Sunday. 

East Lothian Courier:

There was disappointment, though, for youngest brother Duncan, eight, who was eliminated from his age group in the opening round after a points defeat.

But his older brothers were in sparking form, with Oliver winning his fights by choke submission to take his age-group title. 

And after missing out on gold last year, victory saw Innerwick Primary School pupil Oliver become a Junior European Champion once more, after triumphing in the eight-to-nine-year-olds’ category two years ago. 

East Lothian Courier:

Moya Anderson, mum to the talented trio - pictured above showing off British Junior Championship medals they won in March this year- praised Oliver’s performance in the final as “very measured and confident”. 

Attention then turned to older sibling Rory, a Dunbar Grammar School pupil, who had made light work of his first two fights to reach his age-group final.

Although it proved to be “a tough contest,” according to his mum, Rory came out on top after his opponent was disqualified for slamming and headbutting the East Lothian starlet.

Disqualification victory ensured Rory won his third consecutive Junior European Championship at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – the first came just three months after he took up the sport.

Moya and husband Ryan, who runs Anderson’s Quality Butchers in North Berwick, were in Walsall to cheer their sons on, and Moya told Courier Sport how impressed she was.

She said: “We are really proud of the sportsmanship they showed whether in loss or victory. 

“The boys had tough fights and they showed themselves really well. 

“The sport is continuing to grow and the number of children competing from 17 countries this year was over 1,500. So to come away with medals really meant a lot to the boys.”

They will have a break from competition over the festive period, but return to action for the UK National Championships in the spring.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu focuses on floor grappling and there is no striking. It is taught mainly through competitive sparring, known as rolling.