Orrell Shotokan Karate Club scored excellent results at the fourth JSKA World Karate Championships at Manchester Velodrome.

The children, all pupils at Highfield St Matthew's Primary, were among a huge line-up of 600 competitors from countries including the US, Australia, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Serbia and Azerbaijan.

Lewis Ward, eight, won the gold medal in the eight to nine years category of Sanbon Kumite – a form of sparring – with Matt Ascroft taking the silver and Owen Perkins the bronze in the same event.

Owen also won the silver medal in the eight to nine years Kata event – the familiar solo routine of punches and stances.
April Ascroft, 10, was fourth in the 10 to 11 years Kata, beating a number of more senior competitors to earn her place in the semi-final, and Thomas Ward, also 10, competed in three events and was placed fourth in one of them.

Sensei Richard Pavšic, 41, chief instructor at the club, which has been based in Orrell since April 2000, took part in the competition in the 35 to 44 years veterans category and won two bronze medals in the Team Kata and Team Kumite fights.

But he considered his best achievement was fourth place in the individual fights. From a group of 48 Richard defeated an Italian, a Spaniard, a Pole and a German to get to the semi-final, where he was narrowly beaten by another GB competitor.

Richard is originally from Slovenia but has been living in the UK since 1997 and has had British Citizenship since 2002.
He said he was very proud of the achievements, adding: "The way they performed at such a big event was tremendous.

"This was the biggest competition they have been to but they went out there and did exactly what they have been taught."
Training takes place every Saturday at 1.30 pm and Thursday at 6.15pm in the gym at Abraham Guest Specialist Sports College in Orrell.