A GROUP of stick-fighters are on the verge of representing Great Britain in the World Championships after performing well in the British Open last weekend.

The five martial arts experts from Dartford and Orpington will learn their fate later this week when selection for the July tournament is announced.

They have earned the right for consideration after coming home from the British Open, held in Bristol, with medals of all colours.

Phil Ireland, 28, who lives in Dartford and trains at Keddells Gym in Orpington, became lightweight single stick champion winning three knock-out bouts.

Thirteen-year-old James Carty from Orpington, won the junior heavyweight single stick title beating the reigning champion on the way.

His brother Alex, 27, won gold in the forms division as well as taking silver in the heavyweight adult single stick competition.

Matt King, 27, took silver in the middleweight single stick division and bronze in the double stick competition.

Finally Jonathan Lewis, 34, won bronze in the single stick light-heavyweight division.

The new British champions will defend their titles at the November British Open but their minds are more focussed on reaching the World Championships in Orlando in the summer.

Find out in next week's News Shopper if they have been successful.