CATSHILL resident Clive Biggs overcame a career-threatening injury to win gold at the recent British Masters tournament in Kidderminster.

The 57-year-old dad of two would have been forgiven for calling time on his competitive career when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last year competing at the European Masters Judo Tournament in Paris.

But after a gruelling year Biggs returned to the winner’s rostrum.

The Erdington Judo Club member said: “I went to see orthopaedic surgeon Mr Binod Singh at BMI The Priory Hospital and he told me the best person to carry out the operation would be Mr Marcus Green – so I decided he was the man for me.”

“The operation went so well that I decided to stay with the hospital for my physiotherapy treatment – a great decision on my part.

He added: “My initial target was the World Masters Championships in September but although my fitness was building nicely I needed to be confident and skilful and I was neither.

“I changed my target to the British Masters in October.

“The tournament was held in Kidderminster exactly a year to the day from my operation.

“I had won the same title in the two years before my injury and was delighted to win it again.”