Fight team caught up in event terror scare
YOUNG martial arts competitors from a Barwell club were caught up in a terrifying suspected terror attack during a tournament in Italy.
Five competitors and their coach Walter Surgeon were among thousands who thought they were running for their lives following gunfire in the championship arena.
The six, from Vital Martial Arts, had enjoyed three days of successful bouts and were looking forward to finishing off the tournament in style.
Part of the England International Combat Organisation (ICO) team they were flying high on the back of previous medal success during an event in Bir- mingham.
However, as they began warming up for the finals, they were shocked to hear the sound of gun shots further down the arena.
Walter, who runs the club with his wife Tracey, said: “We heard three shots and people were wondering what was going on, then another barrage of bullets and everyone from the other end of the hall started running towards where we were.
“Everyone was running for their lives because in this day and age when you hear sounds like that you immediately think it is a terror attack.
“People were screaming, it was just a huge panic, like five minutes of hell. People were crashing into barriers and falling over. There were children there and babes in arms.”
Helicopters were heard overhead and the armed police there already on duty - due to the size of the event - quickly stepped in and grabbed one man who had a gun.
Walter said calm was gradually restored with team members, parents and associates returning to the arena.
“We had no idea what had gone on but then we started to hear that it had just been a demonstration of self defence against an armed opponent.
“Officials were saying an announcement had been made beforehand but we hadn’t heard anything, it took us totally by surprise. It was very traumatic.
“Some competitors had injured themselves in the panic and so couldn’t take part and others were just so upset they left.”
Despite the distress the England team battled on with the Vital fighters, Aiden Yarwood, 24, Gemma Peck, 33, Charlotte Gardner, 14, Robyn Watret, 15 and Elisa Watret, 15, picking up a gold, five silvers and two bronze medals. Fifteen-year-old Robyn Watret achieved her two silvers despite injuring her shoulder and foot during the melee.
Walter said: “We are so proud of all the students’ achievements and particularly how they performed under such difficult and trying circumstances.”
Prior to Italy the five students had collected a gold, three silver and a bronze medal as well as a fourth place at the ICO World Championships in Birmingham.