Teenage TeamBath judoka Daniel Bidgood competes in the first Special Olympic European Judo Championships for people with learning disabilities at the weekend.

The 16-year-old Fosseway School student only took up the sport four months ago after trying out some tasters at school, but quickly found that he had a talent for judo.

He now trains twice a week in the state-of-the-art judo dojo at the University of Bath's Sports Training Village. He trains on Wednesday evenings with the TeamBath Tribe Judo group and on Friday afternoons at the Keynsham & District Mencap Society's After School Special Olympic Group.

Daniel, from Peasedown St John near Bath, will be in action at the inaugural Special Olympic European Judo Championships, which take place in Belgium on Sunday 30th January.

Daniel's father, Mark, said: "Daniel used to play football with Mencap at Keynsham and found out about judo through them. He went and hade a go and did really well. He really loves it."

Steve Hammond, the University of Bath's Judo Development Coach, who was Head Coach of the GB judo team at the 2003 Special Olympics, said he was delighted by Daniel's progress.

"Daniel has done really well," said Steve. "He only came here in September and has really enjoyed it.

"A lot of people with disabilities don't realise that judo is a suitable sport for them, but Daniel is proof that it could be well worth them giving it a try," he said.

Ali Steeds, Development Officer of Keynsham & District Mencap Society, said: "Daniel has only been doing judo for a few months, so it's amazing that he has been picked already. He has done really well and we're delighted for him."

Judo is just one of a number of sporting activities that Keynsham and District Mencap Society offer in their weekly Friday afternoon After School Special Olympic Group at the Sports Training Village. Also on offer are athletics, football and sports ability, which covers a range of different sporting activities.

For further information about TeamBath Tribe Judo please contact Steve Hammond on 01225 386757 or by email on S.Hammond@bath.ac.uk

For further information on the range of activities provided by the Keynsham and District Mencap Society, please contact Ali Steeds on 0117 908 1791 or by email on keynshammencap@blueyonder.co.uk

Kate Howey came by to wish Daniel good luck at his last training session before he heads out to the Championships...

(left to right)

Mark Bidgood (Daniel's father), Kate Howey, Daniel, Ali Steeds (Development
Officer, Keynsham and District Mencap Society) and Steve Hammond
(University of Bath Judo Development Coach)

Daniel and Kate Howey

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