ILIDIO (Leo) Perrara, from Bridgwater, has won Double Gold at the South West Martial Arts Championships.

Perrara attends the Matt Fiddes Martial Arts School at St Francis’ Church Hall on Saxon Green, Bridgwater.

He is a former National Champion for Portugal, and won gold in the ‘Forms and Patterns’ category then went on to blitz a second gold in the sparring category at Wellsprings Leisure Centre, in Taunton, last weekend.

Instructor Ian Hooper said: “I had been working with Leo in the run-up to the Championships and had been very impressed with his standard.

“He was absolutely brilliant on the day.”

As a result of his two golds, Perrara has won a place on the team that will showcase their martial arts at the World Martial Arts Games 2017 being held in Manchester later this year from September 1 to September 4 - it is the third event of its kind and there will be world titles on the line.

Perrara will also be entering the National British Championships later this year.

Simon Tall was also in outstanding form as he won gold in the junior sparring on a successful day for the Bridgwater team.