It’s been a successful year for Swindon North MP Will Stone thus far, but he has just tasted defeat.

Mr Stone was elected in July as the constituency’s Labour MP,  but the former martial arts trainer and gym owner found the questions from the opposition at one of the biggest grappling shows in the country rather tougher to answer.

The only black belt in the House of Commons is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert and he was grappling fellow Black Belt Matt Inman at the Polaris 30 show on Saturday in London.

And he was forced to tap out four minutes and 37 seconds, almost halfway through the 10-minute bout.

Before the bout, Mr Stone had told the Local Democracy Reporter that he didn’t expect he would beat Mr Inman, but that it was a great opportunity to bring some more publicity for the fast-growing martial art.

After being taken to the floor of the house by his opponent, Mr Stone said: “I’m tired, but I’m happy actually.

“I wasn't expecting to win, went out there didn't embarrass myself and managed to hang with an incredible competitor with minimal training.

“Matt was too much for me and his Jiu-Jitsu was on point, I didn't feel completely out of place though.”

Both Mr Stone and Mr Inman donated their purse for the bout to The Kelly Foundation, a mental health charity based in Pinetrees Community Centre.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app