HEREFORD'S Dali Hopkins, has been named the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete in the UK.

The 11-year-old topped the grey belt rankings this year with a string of impressive performances and was crowned champion in the Welsh BJJ League.

Dali, who beat Makenzie Gruszka and Neave Mart to the award, was also the top-ranked junior across all belts, ages and weights.

The award for her success is a free BJJ gi uniform, free entry to all UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association (UKBJJA) ranked events in 2016 and £300 to attend international competitions.

Dali trains at the Combat Academy in Hereford and has been practising BJJ for three years.

Despite her young age, she has racked up numerous successes and competes at top competitions across the UK and Europe.

Sponsored by BJJ fight-wear company Tatami, Dali is not only British and European champion, but took gold at the Kids Pan American Championships in California.

The youngster will be returning there in February with the support of her sponsors and the UKBJJA, as well as being named as one of a UK Youth Team, a non-UKBJJA private initiative which arranges regular training sessions for juniors.

Dali also competes regularly at the Kids Leagues and her success has attracted the sponsorship of local businesses, such as Seating Contacts, Hereford Carpets, JMART, S&T Roofing Ltd and thePoint4, who are all supporting her.