A team of six under-18-year-olds from the Braintree Shotokan Karate Club, led by Sensei Dean Simpson, jetted off to Sweden last week to take part in the World Youth Karate Championships.

The three day event proved to be successful for the team as they won seven medals.

The event had 700 competitors from 42 different countries.

The Braintree competitors that took part and medals gained were: Lauren Manning, 11, silver for kumite (fighting) and bronze for team kata (set moves), Samantha Gillard, 10, bronze for kumite (fighting) and bronze for team kata (set moves), Leann How, 11, gold for kumite (fighting) and bronze for team kata (set moves), and Akan Eka, 10, bronze for kumite (fighting).

Daniel Gillard, 8 and Dean Simpson, 17, also took part.

The chief sensei of Braintree Shotokan Karate Club Lac Lawrence was delighted with the six members of his club and he presented them all with a plaque for doing so well.

Thanks were extended to sponsors Trevor Gunn of TAG Aviation and all who attended the car wash at MacDonalds on Braintree. to raise funds for the journey to Sweden

The club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Notley Sports Centre between 7pm and 9pm and welcome new students.

The first four lessons are free, and prospective new memberes are invited to telephone Andy Gillard on 01376 330933 or 07803 037997 for further details.

The picture shows the six Braintree Shotokan Karate Club members who took part in the World Youth Karate Championships: Dean Simpson (back), Samantha Gillard (back left), Lauren Manning (back right), Leann How (front lef), Daniel Gillard (with cerificate) and Akan Eka (front right).

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.