GALASHIELS brothers Max and Lex Rogerson have returned from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu European Championships in the Midlands with a gold and silver medal.

The teenagers, who are coached by Kevin Hamilton at The Training Station in Tweedbank, fought against the top BJJ players from across the continent.

Lex faced Polish competitor Kamil Fordon in the final of the Under 16s competition.

And despite receiving a two-point penalty after his early submission for a choke hold was deemed illegal, the Galashiels Academy pupil went on to dominate against the Gracie Barra Academy fighter.

The 14-year-old ran out 10-2 winner to claim the European gold medal.

Big brother Max also reached the gold-medal final in his age-category.

But a gruelling passage took its toll on the 16-year-old.

In his quarter final he faced Spain's Carlos Martin Paadin and, like his brother, quickly locked in a Guillotine choke forcing the Spaniard to submit in an impressive time of 13 seconds.

The semi final was against a much more formidable adversary in 2016 British BJJ champion Alex Gleeson, who was considered by most to be the division’s pre-tournament favourite.

The more experienced Gleeson dominated the early positional exchanges.

With the majority of the contest over Max knew he required a submission to progress.

Seizing the opportunity he locked Gleeson in his favoured finishing move - the Guillotine - to force the submission.

It was a clearly fatigued Max who took to the mat in the final against MMA fighter Luke Penberthy.

For the first two minutes it was close with the score at 2-2 but the Galashiels fighter tired as the contest wore on and eventually was forced to submit via Triangle Choke.

Both Lex and Max train every Wednesday and Friday evening at Tweedbank.

They will return to action in just over a fortnight for the British Open Championships.

Anyone interested in taking up BJJ can phone Kevin on 07833 448839.