Vale Karate return from the 'Palace' with seven medals (From Barry And District News)

Vale Karate return from the 'Palace' with seven medals

THE BRITISH Karate Federation is officially recognised by the Sports Councils of the four home countries as the only governing body for karate in Britain, so the first BKF Children's British Championships held at Crystal Palace were an extremely prestigious event.

Vale Karate sent their junior elite squad of four Under-12 competitors plus two Under-21 competitors to London with Chief Instructor Rob Copeland and Junior squad coach Gareth Reynolds, and above all expectations against the best in Britain, returned with no fewer than seven medals including a gold.

Eleven-year-old Natasha Paton, who has already won titles this year and is constantly improving, took the step up in class in her stride and scored an incredible 25 points while conceding two on her way to winning the official British U-12 Girls Karate title. She also won a bronze in kata.

Ten-year-olds Rhys Davies and Scott Paramore have both won Open titles this year, and each claimed a bronze at Crystal Palace. Rhys also took a bronze in kata.

Rhys and Scott were joined by Welsh Open Under-10 champion Elliott Evans in the U-12 team event where they again earned bronze medals.

On Sunday it was the turn of the U-21 athletes. Vale Karate were represented by two of Wales' most successful karate-ka, British U-18 champion Gavin Keedwell and European U-21 silver medallist Billy Seagrim.

Recently 18, this was Gavin's first major championship as an under-21 competitor and although he fought bravely he was giving away too much weight and lost to the eventual winner.

Billy also went out to the British champion but won his repecharge matches to claim bronze - Vale's seventh medal.

The entire squad are now training hard for this month's Welsh Karate governing body championships to be held at the Welsh Institute of Sport.