CONGRATULATIONS to Paul Mapplebeck who won the Open Gold medal at the recent Elgin Under-16 Budokan Championships. A member of Highland Budokan Club, Paul was one of the 100 entries from all over the North and East of Scotland participating in the event. Altogether the Highland Club netted five golds, two silvers and a bronze.

Paul, who lives in Wyvis Place and is a pupil at Inverness High went on to even greater glory. For at the British Schools Championships at Meadowbank Sports Centre Paul came from behind in the 13-16yrs under 81kg category to take the Gold. Well done, Paul!

HIGHLAND football said goodbye last month to soccer ace Sammy Cummings who died from skin cancer at the age of 39. At 15 such was Sammy's outstanding talent that he was attracting the interest of both Manchester United and Celtic. But his dreams of the big time were shattered when he broke his leg. He nevertheless became a star in the Highland league, playing at various times with Clach, Ross County and Brora Rangers.