YORK Karate youngsters enjoyed their day in the sun at the KUGB Shotokan Cup, the National Individual Championships.

Members of the York College-based club turned in some fine performances to bring home a host of trophies and medals.

Jake Atkinson entered only his second National competition in the boys ten to 11 years kumite and blasted through his opponents with fast hands to become the champion.

Jake’s sister, Alice, has dominated the girls 10-11 years kumite this year, being involved in all three finals.

Once again she showed her class by adding the Shotokan Cup title to her National Youth title and National Championship silver.

Ryan Stead has also had a great year and, after winning the National Youth Championships in July, was confident of a good performance. Stead did not disapoint with two ippons through the rounds to reach the final.

His opponent, Jordan Probst, was also looking sharp through the rounds.

Both fighters know each other very well as they have had many exciting battles over the past two years.

The final bout lived up to the hype, with both fighters going at each other.

Both showed great attitude and Probst won a very close fight, with Stead taking silver.

Nathan Wilson produced his best form in taking bronze, beating national champion and national youth champion James Brown in the quarter-finals.

Instructor Liam O’Grady said: “Everyone from York Karate performed very well with some close performances in Kata.”

Aimee Reeson just missed out on the semi-finals having scored the same points as the eventual winner, but lost on a rematch.

Jason Crowther reached the semi-finals, but did not quite score enough to get to the finals.