ELLEN HOLDER, a 12-year-old from Crudwell has maintained her brilliant vein of form in 2014 by winning a bronze medal in the British Judo Council’s Open Nationals in Kettering.

Cirencester Judo Club member Ellen fought in the Junior Female 12-13yo U52kg category against a number of heavier girls.

It's her third medal in the past month as she won silver in the Sportif International at Edinburgh and then won gold in the Leicester Open.

The BJC Nationals is one of the UK’s leading competitions with entries from all over Britain.

Ellen, who is a student at Stroud High, won two of her four fights after her weight group (U48 kg) was amalgamated with the higher weight category.

Ellen's nine-year-old brother Alexander, also a member of Cirencester Judo, received a bronze medal too in the Primary Male 8-9yo U38kg category.

“The Nationals are tough at the best of times,” said Ellen, "but this year was especially tough because I was fighting in an older, heavier category.”

Ellen took up judo five years ago and began competing when she was eight.

Currently, she trains three times a week at different clubs, including Cirencester Judo Club.