The Spirit of Burnley sports centre in Lancashire was the venue for the WTKO Second Invitational National Karate Championships and the South Hams’ very own karate school had eight students competing in the event.

The team consisted of Imogen Stephens, Isla Mortimer, Isobel Garner, William Garner, Nick Carson, Logan Carroll, Mary Egginton and Jason Hawkes.

In their respective categories Isla Morti­mer, Logan Carroll and Mary Egginton all took a bronze for kumite (fighting), while Issy Garner won silver.

Jason Hawkes, a senior instructor with the South West Karate organisation, won the gold in kumite. They were joined by students from Plymouth Karate -do and in total they brought back six medals, with Jason Hasnip winning a bronze in kata (formal pattern) and Ross Jensen winning another gold for kumite.

Team coach Ash Hawkes said: ‘I am so proud of what the team has achieved and they all did so well considering the competition.

‘It makes all the hard work, training and sacrifice worthwhile, it’s real high point as we begin to end what has been another amazing year for us’.

Jay was also awarded the ‘best senior competitor’ and was given a large trophy. He said: ‘It’s an amazing feeling to not only win gold and get best competitor, but to see my students gain success, I’m so proud of them!

Ash added: ‘The event ran very smoothly and it was a long day for all involved but everybody contributed something and made it happen.

‘Many thanks to Charlotte Hawkes for helping officiate at the judges table and for looking after the youngsters on the trip away.’

The World Traditio­nal Karate Organisation South West is now recruiting and has schools in Loddiswell, Stoke Fleming, Ivy­bridge and East Alling­ton as well as the well established Kings­bridge and Stokenham schools.

This year Plymouth Karate-do joined the WTKO and now both clubs are going from strength to strength.

Anyone interested should contact Ash, Jay or Sally Hawkes on 077925 74745 or click on www.wtkosw.com or find them on facebook.

In other news, Palla­dium Builders Merch­ants have sponsored the karate group to help them meet the costs of travelling to and competing in their recent tournament.

Ash said: ‘This mon­ey will help go towards the cost of travelling up to Burnley.’ said Ash. ‘We are very grateful for Palladium’s generosity and it means so much that local business is supportive of what we are doing.’