Karate students make Warrington trip a successful one

A team of five dedicated karate students from the Otley Karate Centre travelled to Warrington to compete at the SSKA National kata championships and returned home with six medals.

The squad comprising of Aoife Dobson (8), Noah Trewartha (8), Meg Flowerdew (11), Hannah Baker and Amy Hufton, competing in the adult categories, had all been training rigorously for the event.

In a field of over 200 competitors from around the country the squad of five came back with six medals - a fantastic result for the team representing Otley’s longest established karate club.

Trewartha, competing in his very first competition won the gold medal in his event. Dobson and Flowerdew both won silver medals and missed out on taking gold by the narrowest of margins. Hufton came away with a bronze medal in her first competition and Baker collected both silver and bronze in the two events she participated in.

Their coach, Natalie Hofman said: "I am incredibly proud of the teams performance. They have reaped the rewards for their hard work, dedication and commitment. I look forward to our next competition and I'm spurred on by these results for more success for them."

The club's chief instructor, John Walker added: "This is a fantastic result for the youngsters and adults who all returned with a medal. Our club has classes suitable from ages four to adult and all are welcome to come along and give karate a try."

For details about karate classes at the Otley Karate Centre, email: otleykaratecentre@outlook.com or call 07870 432707.