Age is just a number to Danny Bidgood

The 69-year-old practised the sport as a youngster but packed it up as a teenager. After uprooting to work abroad, he finally returned to judo almost five years ago.

Since then he has taken the sport by storm and is now heading off to South Africa to compete in the Commonwealth Judo Championships in April.

Telford's Bidgood is joined by Geoffrey Moore, John Thacker, Mark Edwards and Darren Brownfield in receiving their British Masters badge.

It's awarded after stand-out performances or finishing in the medal spots at a British Masters event. Bidgood, Moore and Basset both claimed silvers while Edwards took a bronze at the championships in Walsall.

The selections are the latest success for Shropshire's largest judo club, who according to owner Michael Pearce are very much on the rise.

He said: "It's great to have older experienced guys around because our club has a huge junior section and they really help out.

"Danny is a first dan and his success is amazing considering seven years ago he underwent a triple heart bypass.

"He has only been a member here some four-and-a-half years and is a big part of our club. He is involved in other things too. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

"John works with the Navy and joined us recently. He was previously the senior recruiter in Shrewsbury.

"He and Geoff are both fifth dan and they are very experienced and knowledgeable on the sport.

"They are both technically good and have won many championships. Geoff has previously been Welsh champion and has also won the Kata World Championships, which is a more traditional judo."

Fellow club member Mark Basset, who still competes at senior and masters level, is looking to secure a top 10 spot in the country.

Bidgood and Moore fly out to France on March 6 where they are set to compete and train for the South African showpiece in April.

Pearce added: "The sport is fully self-funded, despite the prestige of representing GB. So it's not always the case of being able to fly out and perform at every championship."

The club was founded under Roger Houston 45 years ago. Houston is a sixth dan and former Midland area chairman as well as director of examiners.

Bushido boasts two bases, at Ford village hall and at St Lawrence Parish Hall in Church Stretton.

Danny Williams, who competed for GB at the London Olympics in 2012 – losing out in the second round to Rasul Boqiev of Tajikistan, is a former club member.

Williams, 26, of Shrewsbury, still harbours ambitions of making the Rio games this summer. He left the club as a 13-year-old to pursue his Olympic dream.

Pearce added: "Roger still keeps involved which is a big thing for us. We're fortunate in having another big name, former Commonwealth gold medallist Tom Davis helps out the youngsters.

"He was a former British No.1 and won Commonwealth gold in 2005 as well as the British Judo Championships. We have about 70 to 80 juniors, they are kids under 16, train with us and they're all local.

"Roger focused on attracting kids from local villages, such as Ford. We've never lost members and keep gaining which is positive to see."

The Church Stretton training is on Thursdays from 5.30-8.30pm – with three different sessions for juniors between five and 16. At Ford, Bushido train on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9.30pm.

For further information on Bushido check out the club on Facebook – Bushido Judokwai 473 Ford.