A YOUNG Martial Artist has recently found great success at the U21 Judo British Championships in Sheffield.

Esmeè Holgate, 16, from High Bentham is a student at QES school in Kirkby Lonsdale.

With eight years of experience and a brown belt in the art, Esmeè's Judoka career has seen her join the England Judo Squad and has won two silver medals and one bronze medal for her country in the U18 and U21 categories.

She is also currently in the middle of her GCSEs.

Under the tutelage of Coach Danny Harper from Craven Judo Academy, and competing in the U57kg weight category, Esmeè won the silver medal in Sheffield on December 5 during the British Championships, having previously competed in the U18 category and winning all her matches and claiming the bronze.

Having had such success, it was decided between Esmeè and her coach to try the following week in Sheffield to fight the U21 year old Category.

During the competition she reached the silver medal, ranking her second in Great Britain U21 and was placed onto the GBR squad.

This allows her to train alongside Great Britain’s World champions and Olympians.

Esmeè has competed all over the country and Europe and found great success from an early age.

She's already medalled for her Nation but now starts the journey to medal for Great Britain.

When asked about her journey she said: “Judo chose me.”

Her mother Cherry said: “She was amazing. I’m still excited over it.

“She competed in the week before in the U18 category and got the bronze, and then she decided to try U21 and came out with the silver.

“We’re so proud of her. Her dad got his black belt in Judo and having passed her theory for black belt Esmeè will be looking at getting her promotion to black belt in January.”