YORK’S Kenshinkan Karate Club netted an impressive haul of medals at the Japan Karate Association (JKA) National Championships in Crawley.

The meeting saw the club achieve success at almost every level, winning seven individual medals and displaying dominance in some divisions that saw finals contested exclusively by Kenshinkan members.

Sam Hudson, Lewis Wrigglesworth and Caroline Cushen all secured third-place finishes at junior level, while Nick Richards did the same in the senior competition.

Jerome Barlow defeated club-mate Aron Blair in the final of the 13 to 15-year-olds brown and black belt kumite competition to give the club a one-two finish.

There was also success at team level with Ian Tate, Richards and Paula Tate combining to take first place in the senior kumite.

Ian Tate, the Kenshinkan chief instructor, also won the Japanese Ambassadors Cup reserved for the most outstanding competitor.

He said: “It’s an honour to turn up and teach this club every week.

“They give me their all in every session and now they are reaping the rewards for their efforts.”

Club chairman Tivvy Gomersall added: “Their fighting spirit was immense but more importantly, their attitude and behaviour in victory and defeat was second to none.”