Dixon delight as Martial Arts Academy aces seize medal haul (From York Press)

Dixon delight as Martial Arts Academy aces seize medal haul

11:47am Thursday 22nd March 2012 in Martial arts By Stuart Martel, Sports editor

A HAUL of 17 medals was the kickback for members of the York-based Yorkshire Martial Arts Academy.

A squad of 14 Academy fighters, who train at Acomb Primary School, returned from the British Karate & Kickboxing Association interclub competition in Worksop with six gold medals, seven silvers and three bronzes.

Chief instructor Mark Dixon, 5th Dan, said: “I am very proud of my students who took part.

“Some were competing for the first time and did really well against more experienced fighters.”

The Snowden brothers, of Copmanthorpe, led the way. Henry, 11, won the kata and took a silver in the sparring, while 14-year-old sibling James scooped gold in the kata and sparring, plus a bronze in the team sparring event.

Acomb’s Mollie Dunnington, 11, won gold medals in the kata and sparring disciplines, while Leeds-based club-mate Deshawn Hendrickson, 11, won a sparring gold.

Alexander Holmes, 13, of Acomb, won silver in the sparring, as did 15-year-old Acomb fighter Will Pycroft.

Bev Dixon, 40, and 11-year-old Melissa Wilson, both from Acomb, were silver medallists in the kata.

Acomb-based 14-year-old Luke Yates won silvers in the kata and team sparring, plus a sparring bronze.

Other bronze medal winners were Harrogate’s Chris Norton, 34, for sparring, 12-year-old Appleton Roebuck member Ethan Payne in the kata, and eight-year-old Leeds-based fighter Thierry Hendrickson in the sparring.

The Academy members train at Acomb Primary School every Tuesday and Thursday and Dixon can be phoned on 07739 132139.