(Image: Dream Art Bradford)
Young fighters from a Bradford martial arts academy have returned from Lisbon with four continental titles after a standout weekend at the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation European Kids No Gi Championship.
Dream Art Bradford, based at Holroyd Business Centre on Carr Bottom Road in BD5, took eight children to the championship on October 10 and 11.
Six of the youngsters came home with medals: four gold, one silver and one bronze.
The European champions are Abubakr Idris, Haydn Venant, Meesam Hussain and Umar Idris.
Yusuf Sheikh Aqeel took silver and Tobias Venant won bronze.
Meesam won his final with a choke inside two minutes and was promoted to orange belt on the podium by his coach.
Umar, competing for the first time in the higher yellow belt division, won gold with two submission victories.
Tobias, also in his first competition at yellow belt, won his opening match by armbar before losing narrowly on points to the eventual champion.
For Isaac Mahmood and Hamaad Sheikh Aqeel, it was a first taste of international competition and an experience both will learn a lot from.
Head coach, Professor Craig Tetley said: "I'm so proud of every one of them.
"Stepping on to a mat in front of a big crowd in another country takes real courage, win or lose.
"These kids train hard in Bradford week in, week out, and this weekend showed what that work builds.
"None of it happens without the parents, who invested so much to get them there, and our coaches, who give hours of their own time every week.
"And you don't have to leave Bradford to get world class coaching because it's right here."
Craig Tetley was named as Coach of the Year in the Outstanding Contribution category at the 2026 Bradford Sports Awards for his work at Dream Art Bradford. (Image: Tom Pearson)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling martial art that focuses on control, technique and submissions rather than striking.
The IBJJF is jiu-jitsu's largest governing body, and its European Championships are among the biggest events in the youth calendar.
Dream Art Bradford teaches children from age five and adults of all levels, with beginners' and women's classes.
New members can try a free first week.