York Martial Arts Academy’s first world champion is a Shaw thing as 12-year-old leads successful assault on the medals in Florida (From York Press)

York Martial Arts Academy’s first world champion is a Shaw thing as 12-year-old leads successful assault on the medals in Florida

10:02am Saturday 6th December 2008 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

GEORGIA Shaw has become York Martial Arts Academy’s first world champion at the age of 12.

Representing her club and country at the WKA World Championships in Florida, Georgia won every fight in her light continuous category to take the title.

Georgia’s YMMA team-mate and British champion Luke Burks, 16, also added two bronze medals to the one he won at last year’s World Championships in Germany.

Three-time national champion Jay Spain and James Renwick flew the flag for York as well, performing admirably but missing out on podium places.

Delighted YMAA chief instructor and six-time British champion Craig Long said: “It is wonderful to see our students reaping the results of their hard work.

“Georgia has always given 100 per cent in her work at the club and is a wonderful talent for the future, as well as a fine ambassador for our academy.

“When there is so much negative stuff about young people these days, it is nice that we can tell people something positive, and it doesn’t look like we will be stopping at one world champion either.

“It was my dream job to start the academy six years ago and there are so many young talents coming through the ranks at the club that it is only a matter of time before we see some more.

“Luke Burks, who competes in one of the most competitive categories, won’t be stopping at three bronzes, and Jay Spain is another who is just getting better and better.

“I’m just gutted I could not attend in person this year as we had to get the new Acomb gym up to speed.”

Another YMAA student, Macaulay Catterson, 15, narrowly missed out on a medal at the WAKO World Championships in September and, at the National Championships last spring, seven York pupils qualified for the GB team but only four could afford to travel to the States.

Long added: “There are not many clubs, even in the UK’s biggest cities, that can boast such results.

“For a city of York’s size it is good to see we can punch far above our weight in martial arts.”

The academy is looking for future champions and anyone who wants to get into shape and find a new interest can phone 01904 783459 or visit the website www.kikbox.co.uk