THREE Bendigo stick fighters have returned from their world championships with a swag of medals.

Darren Kerby, Sharon Hill and their mentor James Plowright were among more than 80 Australians to compete at the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Multi Style Stick Fighting World Championships in Hawaii last month.

All three returned with medals.

Kerby won one gold and two silver medals, Hill won gold in artistic form (solo fighting to music) and two bronze, while Plowright won one silver and three bronze.

The trio qualified for Hawaii by scoring wins at the national championships in Townsville last year.

Kerby said it was a proud achievement for the trio, who train each week at Tom Flood Sports Centre, under the guidance of Glen Eden.

“To get two gold, two silver and five bronze was a great effort for Bendigo,” he said.

“There were 83 Australians in Hawaii, nearly 700 (competitors) all up, a lot from America, but 40 countries in total.

“It’s a pretty big stage.”

Kerby praised Plowright, a multiple world champion in the sport, who largely sacrificed his own ambitions to prepare himself and Hill for the world titles.

“This time around he really focused on us – he probably spent nine months to get us there,” he said.

“I was originally his kung-fu instructor eight years ago and now I’m training under James.”

The trio will set their focus on next year’s nationals ahead of the 2020 world championships in Cebu in the Philippines.

A longer-term focus for Kerby and Hill will be becoming accredited international judges.

While you're with us, did you know you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox? Sign up here.