After Beijing bronze, Croydon martial artists dreams of London glory

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month, you can't fail to know about Great Britain's triumph at this year's Olympics.

But you may not know about one Epsom athlete whose bronze medal has not been so widely reported.

Nick Evagorou won his medal in the Wushu tournament, which although not yet an official Olympic sport, was one to be showcased this year.

This gave Nick, 27, an instructor at the Epsom Nam Yang Pugulistic Association, the thrill of being part of the Games and also of demonstrating an ancient sport participants hope will eventually be included in the main event.

He is just as proud of his medal as the rest of the champions in Team GB – of which he hopes he will again be a member in 2012.

He said: "I competed in the World Wushu Championships 2007, where the top eight competitors would gain the opportunity to compete in the Wushu Tournament featured in the Beijing Olympics.

"The International Olympics Committee sanctioned the tournament as a specially-approved demonstration event.

"It took place at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium and featured alongside other events in the hope the demonstration would cement a bid to make the Wushu Tournament an official event at a future games, including the 2012 Olympics in London."

In his first fight, he beat Elie Saade of Lebanon, but was beaten in the second round by Muslim Salikov of Russia, who went on to take the gold medal.

The sport is gathering young fans in Epsom who go twice weekly to sessions at the club's base in Alexandra Park.

Nick, who lives in Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heathand works in Mitcham as an engineer, began his enthusiasm for Wushu as an eleven-year-old and is now a regular competitor in national and international events.

He said: "Wushu is a Chinese term meaning martial arts and comprises two disciplines.

"It means 'free fighting' and was originally based on bare hand one-on-one combat involving both striking and grappling.

"The sport gives a lot of help to youngsters lacking in confidence and teaches self-control to those who already have a lot. I love the sport and enjoy teaching it and encouraging more people to enjoy it.

"It was wonderful to be given the opportunity to go to Beijing where we were able to stay in the Olympic Village.

"I am looking forward to the possibility that eventually the sport will be included in a future Olympic Games."