YOUNG St Helens kickboxer Mark Edzes won his opening round of the Great Britain Open Championship in Birmingham at the weekend, only to go out at the second stage.

Purple belt Mark, aged 9, was fighting in the under 4ft 6 category against boys up to two years older than him.

Mark, who trains at the martial arts club in Tolver Street, is highly rated and has secured sponsorship from Glenn Freight (Kirkby) to help with his training expenses. He is due to get upgraded to a brown belt next month and has his sights fixed firmly on securing a black belt in two years time.