Three Pro-Karate Academy students were crowned champions at the England Karate Federation National Championships.
Nada Wegrzyn, Talia Nardelli and Annabel Changer all took gold for the club that runs classes in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Saffron Walden.
Months of dedication to training paid off for Wegrzyn in Sheffield as she finished top of the pile in the cadet kata category, getting the better of a tough opponent in the final.
Nardelli retained her kumite crown from last year by coming first in the cadet -61kg category as she attacked in the last minute to win a nail-biting final.
In the kumite cadet -47kg event, Changer won gold by producing consistently strong performances before winning the final 10-1.
Cameron McNaughton made his National Championships debut in the 12-13 kumite section and got his hands on a silver medal.
There were also bronze kata medals for Dylan Barnes and Sensei Harry Marsden, who won the Mantle Space-sponsored Sports Personality prize at the 2023 Indies Community Awards, in the under-21 and senior male categories respectively.
Other good displays were produced by Erin Brewin, who came fifth in kata, and brothers Jacob and Ronnie Sneddon.
The club is looking for sponsors to help athletes cover the cost of competing at international events as no central association funding is available. Email pkaoffice@yahoo.com or call Sensei Chelsea Sydes on 07545 583389 if you can help.
To find out more about the club, go to www.facebook.com/chelseasydeskarate or follow @pro-karate-hertsandessex on Instagram.