Accrington Shotokan Karate Club pair Craig Cooke and Lee Power won a bronze medal representing Great Britain at the JSKA World Karate Championships in Manchester.
There were over 600 competitors from 34 countries so the standard was high with some of the world’s best fighters attending the event, which was being held in England for the first time.
Craig and Lee - both 3rd Dan black belts - entered the three man team kata for team GB.
After a long competition the Accrington pair, along with Manchester’s Steve Woby, secured the bronze medal.
They were narrowly beaten by Holland to the silver and a strong Romanian team won gold.
Robbie Cooke, also from the Accrington club, was chosen to represent GB and the 12-year-old was unfortunate not to win a medal but made it to the final eight in all of his four events.
This was the first time Robbie had been involved in an international event so reaching the quarter-finals of all the events was a great result.
The club, who train at the New Era complex every Wednesday at 6pm, have places available for new students and are offering free membership and three free lessons to the first 20 new members.
Anybody over seven-years-old who either wants to compete at the highest level or simply get fit is welcome. Contact Craig on 07816 924372 for more details.
