INSTRUCTORS and students from Wessex Karate Academy are celebrating yet another record year.

Students taking part at this year’s GKI National Championships exceeded all expectations by coming away with another record haul of medals and first place results.

The club’s 20-strong team at the competition impressed both judges and spectators by securing a total of 39 medals, with 22 gold, nine silvers, and eight bronze.

For some students this was their first national event, turning up as competition novices and leaving as national champions.

The events are broken down into grade and age categories, covering Kumite (point sparring against an opponent), Kata (set pattern of moves representing fighting skills), and Team Kata (three to five member teams displaying synchronised set pattern of moves representing fighting skills).

Chief instructor Peter Thompson, Fifth Dan, said: “Although numbers from the club entering this year’s event was a little lower than last year’s, this had no effect on the club’s overall performance, every single student from the twenty representing the WKA won at least one medal from their competition categories.

“All our students train very hard throughout the year and this has been reflected in their incredible achievement.”

The GKI National Championships are held at Chichester and attract associated clubs from all over the country.

This spectacular result is a follow on from the WKA hosted South Coast Regional Championships where three regional Dojos competed in Weymouth, with Wessex again proving its winners title by obtaining 17 gold medals from a competition total of 19 and securing 33 medals overall.

This resulted in the club winning over half of the total medals awarded.

Both annual competitions are open to any students regardless of age, gender, grade or ability and students are encouraged to take part whether as competitors or as supporting spectators for fellow members.

The club has been successfully training students in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate for more than 20 years, and has always maintained a good number of students, but over the past few years it has seen a steady increase in its members across the board from juniors, cadets and adults.

The club’s professionalism and friendly approach has contributed enormously to its continued success and has also led to the club joining forces with Portland ’s Aikido Instructor 2nd Dan Jason Bird in setting up a dedicated dojo in Fortuneswell .

Sensei Peter added: “Numbers in our club have grown at all venues, but our original Portland Dojo no longer met the standards required by us.

“This new purpose-built Dojo in Fortuneswell is perfect for all aspects of our training and provides the excellent amenities and environment that our students need.”

For further information go to wessexkarate.co.uk and Facebook Wessex Karate Academy.