EVERYBODY was kung fu fighting at Dragon Martial Arts School’s 32nd annual presentation and competition day in Manningtree.

Students at the Tendring-based club fought it out for the honours at Manningtree Sports Centre.

Martial artists descended upon the venue on Sunday to compete in weapons, open hand forms, multiple-person routines, fixed-step and semi-contact fighting.

The Martial Artist of the Year Award was presented to Carl Wildon and George Beesley was named as junior martial artist.

Sifu Keith Dwan, chief instructor, said: “This year’s event was a particularly special one for our club as it comes off of the back of a successful pilgrimage to China for many of our students.

“The quality of the displays was fantastic and those presented with awards truly deserved their accolades.

“George was named as our junior martial artists of the year. Not only has he become a fine young martial artist, but he conducted himself admirably during the journey to China, where he was interviewed by Henan state television and broadcast to 28 million viewers.

“Carl is a superb martial artist in many different disciplines – and deserves his award due to his excellent fixed-step fighting performance in front of the Chinese national team.”

Lily Hardwick was named as junior newcomer of the year, Jonathan Martin as adult newcomer, Gary Rusby as former of the year, Jamie Zweck as fighter of the year and Kane Galloway won the Spirit Award.

Presentations were made by sifu Tony Lloyd, of London-based sister club Seal Lung Kung Fu, and Tendring district councillors Carlo and Val Guglielmi, and Mavis Balbirnie.

The club runs classes in Clacton, Harwich, Colchester and Manningtree. For more information go to dragonmartialarts.co.uk.

Competition winners: Fixed Step: Dave Couldrey. Fighting: Little girls: Lily Krajewska. Big girls: Ellie Zweck. Little boys: Josh Wood. Big boys: Vibash Gunasenne. Adults: Daryl Bigg-Wither. Teams: 1) Colchester girls. Adult weapons (brown & black): 1) Richard Poots. Adult weapons (purple and below): Daryl Bigg-Wither. Children’s weapons (brown & black belt): James Firth. Children’s weapons (purple and below): Oliver Boatrace. Adults open hand forms (black and brown): Ian Pierson. Adults open hand forms (black and brown): Daryl Bigg-Wither. Children’s openhand forms (black and brown): Vibash Gunasenne. Children’s open hand forms (purple and below): Spencer Barry. 2/3 person routines: Jason and James Firth.