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Weekly reporter earns yellow belt after taking up judo challenge

A weekly newspaper reporter challenged to a two-month judo challenge has earned his yellow belt in the martial art.

Nick Reid, of the Tamworth Herald, took up the martial art just weeks ago and has been updating readers on his progress in a weekly column called ‘Nick’s Yellow Belt Challenge’.

Nick undertook a brutal training regime at Tamworth’s Mercia Judokwai dojo. before passing his assessment first time.

The 25-year-old now intends to continue learning the sport.

Nick Reid, centre right, receiving his yellow belt

Nick Reid, centre right, receiving his yellow belt

He said: “It was genuine pleasure to give judo a go and something I never thought I would do.

“When the opportunity came up I grabbed it with both hands. I’ve really enjoyed my introduction to judo and I intend to stick with it.”

Herald editor Gary Phelps added: “Nick has really gone for it with this challenge – it’s a great example of old-fashioned seat-of-pants journalism that has connected with our readers and raised the profile of a local sports club.

“I’m now wondering what we might suggest he tries next, although given his new fighting prowess I’ll be careful how I put it.”