Gym named after judo legend Elvis Gordon
The name of judo legend Elvis Gordon will live on at the Black Country school where he was caretaker until his death last year.
A fitness suite with £20,000 worth of equipment has been opened at Moseley Park Academy in Bilston.
It has been named after the 11-times British champion, one of the region's best known and most respected sports stars.
Rising British judo star Kelly Edwards told students during the official opening ceremony: "Elvis was a sporting legend and you must draw inspiration from that guy every time you use this centre."
Mr Gordon won gold medals in the European Championships and Commonwealth Games, silver in the World Championships and competed in the Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona Olympics before retiring in 1992. The father of five, who worked as a caretaker at Moseley Park for eight years until his death from pancreatic cancer aged 52, also picked up a silver medal at the British Masters Championships in 2009.
The decision to name the fitness suite after him came from pupils. Head teacher Nick Elwiss said: "He was held in extremely high regard by staff and pupils and is fondly remembered by us all."
Among others who attended the opening ceremony were Kerrith Brown and Dennis Stewart, who each won Olympic bronze medals and, along with Mr Gordon, were both former members of Wolverhampton Judo Club.
