A martial arts group has been named Club of the Year at a capital-wide sports awards.

Sanjuro Martial Arts beat off the heavyweight competition to pick up the prestigious gong at the London Sport Awards, much to the delight of their company director and trainer, Anita Yiannoullou.

Ms Yiannoullou said: “We are just a small family team, so it feels really good. What is nice is that it is recognition for martial arts. It is fantastic to get that recognition, it is always nice to get endorsement, and it is great for our students too.

“We were formed in 2001 out of a traditional martial arts club but now we do more community work. We work with schools, including with disabled children. We adjust our martial arts to fit the trainee.

“We have young kids who train, and people as old as 80.  We teach through storytelling, through music and dance, self-defence classes, but we treat everyone the same. That dedication, that is probably why we won.”

The ceremony was attended by over 400 guests from the world of sport, politics and business, with the winners of eight awards covering all grassroots sport in London were selected from more than 300 nominees.

 Award winners were selected by a panel of experts chaired by Olympic rower Sarah Winckless, who said: “Judging this year’s London Sport Awards really showed how much outstanding grassroots sport takes place in London on a daily basis.

“Not only tonight’s winners, but every nominated programme and individual, has shown a real commitment to bringing physical activity and sport into the lives of Londoners; it is great that we have been able to celebrate their achievements in this way.” 

The full list of winners for the London Sport Awards are:

  • Club of the Year: Sanjuro Martial Arts (Haringey)
  • Volunteer of the Year: Tyrone George (Tower Hamlets/Pan-London)
  • The Supporting Grassroots Organisations Award: Newham’s Every Child a Sportsperson Programme (Newham)
  • Coach of the Year: Jeff Clarke (Waltham Forest)
  • The Making it Easier Award: Our Parks (East and North West London)
  • The Resources Award: Intelligent Health – Beat the Street (Multiple Boroughs)
  • The Bigger and Better Workforce Award: parkrun (Pan-London)
  • The Harnessing the Power of Elite Sport Award: Rugby Football Union – Rugby World Cup 2015 and partners (Pan-London)