Summit Grappling Academy celebrated extraordinary success at the British Championships, fielding its largest-ever team of 24 competitors and returning with 23 medals.
Both its junior and adult members excelled at the championships, including winning eight British Champion titles
“Ismael Khalil, at just 6 years old and at his first tournament, showed total domination and control, winning his division to earn the first gold medal and become the Island’s youngest ever British Champion,” the team said.
“His infectious smile and enthusiasm was the perfect way to kick off the competition.”
Five-year-old Esther Patterson also impressed in her debut. “Esther showed her fierce determination and grit, winning her first match on points to claim a silver medal,” the team said.
Valeri Topulev secured silver with “a well-executed armbar submission,” while Theo Sloane triumphed in a teammate clash. “Both fought well with Theo claiming gold and the British title,” the team said.
Lucas Hanlon displayed “calm control and technique” to win silver, narrowly missing gold by a single advantage point. First-time competitor Koa Hamman delivered “an impressive 31-second pressure submission” en route to silver.
Stanlagh Mayers earned bronze with “a solid technical performance,” while Joe Bosworth dominated for gold with “a fast, dynamic and controlled performance,” the team said.
Alan Greenhalgh, a European silver medalist, added another British title. “Alan was his usual composed self and put in a dominant performance,” the team said. Hanako Henson, the 2024 European Champion, was “unstoppable,” submitting her final opponent to claim gold.
Summit’s juniors secured third place overall, a rare feat for a single club. “For the size of the team and the fact Summit is a single club and not an affiliation of many clubs, this is an incredible achievement,” the team said.
Adults continued the dominance. Marc Purcell won gold with “submission finishes with a breadcutter choke in both” matches, then took Absolute bronze.
Sorrelle Williams claimed Absolute gold with “a slick takedown to take the dominant position, with a submission finish.” Rachel Kermeen, “a force to be reckoned with,” secured Summit’s eighth British title, the team said.
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