Hadleigh-based Westwood Karate Club enjoyed a successful competition at Bournemouth, collecting nine gold medals from the 12 events.

Some of the most pleasing results came from the club's younger contingent who had never competed outside the club's dojo before.

Seven-year-old Emma Lee claimed her gold medal in the under-10 years kata, competing against students of a much higher standard.

In the same event, 9-year-old William Stevens was second with Thomas Owen and Ryan Lane claiming joint third.

In the team kata, Westwood babes Ross Dixey, 7, Thomas Owen, 8 and Stacey Suckling, 9, finished joint third in a category that included 15-year old black belts. Westwood's national champs Emma Souster, Lauren Paskins and Vicky Stevens took top honour.

Other first time gold medal winners were 9-year-old Leo Gemmill in the under five foot kumite.

Matthew Holman won bronze and 13-year-old Danny Purches came first in the 9th-4th kyu kata, with 11-year-old Hayley Barrick finishing runner-up.

Lauren Paskins claimed gold in the girls kumite, with Kelly Tilbury and Deana Herley finishing joint third.

The team kumite event was mixed for Westwood's boys and girls. In the under 5' 2" category, the girls team of Lauren Sparkes, April Dunlop and Hayley Stevens came out on top to earn yet another gold.

The boys squad of Ryan Russell, Fabio Selci and Craig Suckling claimed silver.

However, in the over 5' 2" category, the situation was reversed, with Westwood's boys team of Scott Dunlop, Sam Elsey and Sam Benny taking top honour with Lauren Paskins, Emma Souster and Deana Herley earning runner-up spot.

It was the girls chance to shine once more in the brown and black belt junior kata finals. Gold medal winner was Emma Souster with Vicky Stevens second. Brown belts Kimberley Hughes and Danielle Cole were joint third.

In the senior kata, brown belt Sean Dutton won the silver with yellow belt Tina Twydell producing an outstanding display to claim bronze.

What a lot we've got! - Westwood Karate Club show their huge medal haul from a competition at Bournemouth.

Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY

International joy for Corringham

It has been a great few weeks for the Corringham Ishinryu Karate Club.

Chief instructor Richard Condon and one of his charges, Danny Nash, attended the World Championships in Germany as part of the England squad, while Vikki Fisher and Leanne Archer won medals in major championships.

England international Vikki, 27, took two golds in the lightweight and open weight fighting category at the senior regional championships and qualified for next year's English finals.

Westwood collect medal haul

A training and grading course in London saw Westwood Karate Club submit 15 students for 1st and 2nd dan black belt gradings.

The Hadleigh-based hopefuls were all judged by 7th dan chief instructor sensei Kawasoe, with all students passing the test.

11-year-olds Ashley Fawcett, Andrew Ash, Fabio Selci, Robbie Nesbitt and Chris Cummins, plus 10-year-old Christopher Tomlinson all achieved their 1st dan.

Christopher's mum Marites Tomlinson also passed, as did Chris Barnes and husband and wife David and Jackie Tomlinson.

Five young Westwood students also managed 2nd dan status after training for the past six years.

Deana Herley, Lauren Paskins, Tom Hale and Sam Elsey (all 15) plus 16-year-old Claire Marsh all collected their coveted belts.

Belting display - Westwood Karate Club's contingent of newly-graded black belts.

By Stuart Hillis

Reporter's e-mail: stuart.hillis@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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