The Bristol Open is the biggest martial arts/kickboxing  tournament in the UK, attracting teams from all over Europe as well as some of the strongest fighters from the USA. 

This edition of the famous Open, has now moved to the city of Bath as the past venue proved too small for the growing number of participants. The organisers needed a bigger and better venue to be able to continue and host the biggest tournament in the UK and the University Arena in Bath proved to be the next best thing close to Bristol. 

Irish teams were well represented with just under 300 entries from Irish clubs alone. Local clubs had a strong showing with competitors from Tallaght Martial Arts, LJays, Team Revolution and Clondalkin's BMA.

BMA Clondalkin had a strong team of 6 athletes competing and had a brilliant turnover of 1 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals from all competitors. 

Team captain and senior coach Robert Barrett led by example by clinching the solitary gold for the Clondalkin club by winning the Men's -57kg LC division.

Alex Barrett, younger sibling of the team captain, reached the semi finals of the men's KL -63kg category. 

Cayden Derwin put on an excellent performance in the Junior Men's -63kg LC category and had an all out war with his UK opponent in the semi finals only to lose out to a very close split decision to the home athlete. 

"This was a great performance for Cayden as he is warming up for his full contact debut fight in mid Nov" says head coach Ilija Salerno.  

Younger sibling Roan Fitzpatrick Derwin finished joint third in the Boys OC LC -37kg and reached the finals of the Boys OC KL-37kg only to lose out to the current world champion from the UK.

Donny Caren was also a joint third place podium finish by reaching the semi finals of the Junior Men's -74kg LC category.

Louise Shortt was in excellent form by reaching the finals of the Girls PF OC -55kg in what was one of the biggest divisions of the tournament. This was a battle right to the end with her opponent as it went down to extra time to then award the win to the UK fighter. Louise also reached the semi finals of the Girls OC -50kg LC  but unfortunately did not progress further after her previous final which drained her remaining energy.

"In all it was a great performance by some of our Elite fighters who are progressing nicely and gearing up for next year's Irish national championships, " says head coach Ilija Salerno.

Clondalkin squad at the Bristol Open