'Loving' son who will be missed by many was 'one of a kind'

Tributes have been paid to a Liverpool teenager who died while hiking in Wales.

Phil Zhu, 19, tragically died after falling from the Eryri mountain, Tryfan. Phil had been walking with his two younger brothers on Bank Holiday Monday when he slipped and fell from the Y-Gully section of the 3,000ft mountain. His brothers, who phoned 999, were rescued from the mountain by Mountain Rescue and Phil's body was recovered.

Phil has been remembered as a "kind" and "smiley" young man, who was a much-loved martial arts teacher in his community.

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Phil had started training at The Combat Unit martial arts gym in Seaforth at the age of 11, and went onto teach the combat sport to kids and professional fighters, travelling across the country to events.

Owner of The Combat Unit, Connor Dickinson, 28, has paid a special tribute to his friend. He said: "I grew up with Phil. I have done martial arts for 20 years and started coaching it eight years ago when Phil was just 11. On the first day I stepped onto the mat as a coach he stepped on as a student. I have coached him since that day.

"I have watched him grow up from being a teenager to being a man, he worked his way through as a student and then became a coach himself. He has taken junior classes and adult classes as well, he was a massive part of the community and massive part of the gym. He is always cleaning the gym, he was at every competition, cornering fighters, he was always there in the corner."

Connor continued: "Phil was really one of a kind. He always had the greatest smile from ear to ear and could light up a room with it.

"He fully dedicated his life to martial arts and in recent years his passion was passing on his knowledge to the next generation in the most fun and loving way you could imagine.

"Phil was such a loving son and brother. Always going out his way for his family and making sure to spend quality time with them as much as he could.

"He was greatly loved in the whole combat sports community and he was very well known for how much of a talented fighter he was, but more importantly known for being a really genuine, nice person. Phil will be missed by many, and forever hold a special place in everyone’s hearts."

In memory of Phil the gym are hosting a fundraiser event to raise money for funeral costs and donations to Mountain Rescue. Connor added: "We are going to train for 24 hours non-stop on May 18. At 11am we will start training at our gym with high level coaches and fighters.

"We are fundraising money to go to the funeral, then anything left over will be going to Mountain Rescue who rescued his brothers and got them to safety, and recovered Phil's body."

You can donate to the fundraiser for Phil here.

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