INSPIRED by his watching eldest son, York's judo king Rob Thomas surged to a podium finish in his final outing before his dream pilgrimage to Japan.

Thomas won a bronze medal at the High Wycombe Masters, an event to which he took his 11-year-old son Ryan.

And it was Ryan's presence which provided Thomas senior with the motivation to battle his way to the medal rostrum.

The outing in the heart of Buckinghamshire was the last in the competitive arena ahead of next month's flight by Thomas to the land of the rising sun, where the former Great Britain heavyweight ace is scheduled to compete in the World Masters championships.

Said the York judo star: "Having Ryan there for the first time to see me fight proved a real inspiration.

"I competed at High Wycombe for extra fights to help me with my training for Japan. I managed to get through eight contests and only lost two, so everything went well in that regard.

"Medically, I'm 100 per cent and tactically I'm fighting okay, so I'm just looking ahead to getting to Japan for the World Masters."

In the heavyweight category Thomas, who has just qualified as a fourth Dan black belt, won three fights before losing to Northern Counties area star Danny Murphy leaving him to settle for the bronze.

Then, after entering the Dan grading tournament, he had two more fights opening with a victory within a minute of crossing paths with Murphy for a second time.

He also went into the 'line-up' division - competitors fight off in quick succession - and here he also excelled.

As an added bonus for Thomas, who only returned to the competitive circuit last year after several years of enforced exile, his Dan grading and 'line-up' clashes afforded him a healthy 40 points towards cherished fifth Dan status.

But all his attention is now focused on his mid-June expedition to Japan, the spiritual home of martial arts, and the fulfilment of a dream he has cherished for decades.

Backed by several York companies, including Azlan Ltd of Clifton Moor, the Buzz Bar in York and Emperor's Gymnasium in Skeldergate, Thomas is also set to benefit from two fund-raising events.

There's a celebratory evening at the Groves Working Men's Club this Saturday followed by a barbecue and cocktail evening at The Star pub in Huby on June 7.

Updated: 08:55 Thursday, May 22, 2003