INTEREST in a York karate club has grown significantly thanks to London 2012 – despite karate not being an Olympic sport.

The martial arts were a key component of last year’s sporting spectacular, with Great Britain winning a total of four medals in judo and taekwondo, including one gold.

That success appears to have influenced the popularity of many sports, especially karate, in the Minster city – according to JKS York Karate Club.

The Japan Karate Shotokan (JKS) teaches a style of karate which has been developed from various martial arts and is followed by JKS York Karate Club, run by Simon Flint.

Flint believes the sudden increase in interest from people of all ages was a direct result of the Olympics. The 27-year-old said: “The whole Olympic buzz has seemed to spark interest in a host of sports.

“We started out with just one karate class in York a year ago and we have grown to include classes in Haxby, Strensall and Shipton. It’s not just kids signing up either – we have a growing number of adults taking part too.

“It really is for everyone.”

The club have just celebrated their first anniversary by signing up their 150th member.

Flint received his second dan two years ago and explained his motivation in bringing karate to York.

“It’s an honour to represent your country,” he said. “But it’s also an honour to share that experience with other young people, particularly in my home town.”

Flint, who has had a black belt since 2010, represented England at the World Championships in 2011 and is currently training for next year’s Championships in Ukraine. He started karate at the age of eight and is now a full-time professional instructor who leads a range of classes five days a week.

The JKS world technical director, Masao Kagawa Sensei, coached the Japan team to win gold in the 2012 World Karate Championships and he grades the York club’s black belts each year.

The club offers a range of classes, including private tuition to lessons specifically tailored to personal abilities and skill level.

Flint runs ‘York Dragon’ classes for children aged five to eight, more experienced classes for over-eights and senior classes for adults. He has also developed a schools programme.

Anyone interested in starting lessons should phone Flint on 07814 545013.

More information can be found on the website yorkkarate.net