ON APRIL 12, Barry Kyokushin Karate Club students will be sitting in anticipation as their chief instructor, Senpai Phill Sedgmond, and assistant instructor Rhian Evans set off for the biggest challenge of their martial arts career.

These two high level martial artists are heading off to Japan to attend the World Championships and International Summer Camp.

At these events, Rhian Evans, who currently holds seven national titles in Kata is competing in The World Friendship Tournament in Kata, a worldwide championship event only held in Japan.

Rhian has been selected to represent Great Britain at this event by Shihan Paul Greenway 5th Dan, branch chief of Wales, and was supported by Great Britain chief instructor Shihan Jose Claronino 8th Dan.

Rhian will be the first female in the history of Wales Kyokushin to represent Great Britain at the World Championships.

Senpai Phill will be at the tournament in an official capacity, as he needs to sit an exam to become an international judge, which will be, hopefully, gained at the tournament that Rhian is competing in.

But it’s at the international Camp that Senpai Phill will be really tested.

The camp which is located at the Mitsumine Shrine deep in the mountains of oku-chichibu located on top of mount Mitsumine. It is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful shrines, constructed in 1661 and was highly respected by the Samurai.

Every year several camps are held at Mitsumine, severe testing of endurance, techniques, fighting spirit and kata are tested at these camps. Senpai Phill hopes to attend this camp to be graded to 3rd Dan Black belt.

Senpai Phill will be the first individual in the UK to achieve this grade in Japan.

But also making him only the second individual in the history of Barry Kyokushin - almost 40 years - to achieve the 3rd Dan Black Belt grade, emulating Barry Kyokushin’s former chief instructor, Sensei Richard Males.

The pair have been training very hard towards this event and club member and close friends of the pair have been supporting them with training and financial help.

The club held a fundraiser, a justgiving page was created and they managed to raise £1,700 to help support them and get them to this event.

Rhian Evans said: “Many years ago, someone once told me about the opportunity to go to Japan and I instantly thought…nah, that won't happen for me, but here we are and although I’m very excited about this, it’s also very terrifying, but I’m just going to go and give it my best.

"Training for it has been tough, but I have a great instructor and a great bunch of students around me who have supported me wholeheartedly.

"I genuinely can't thank everybody enough for all their kind donations and generosity to help me.”

Senpai Phill said: “It's been a joy to teach Rhian for this, I’m very excited for her and it’s a huge milestone for myself.

"It’s a big honour to have one of my students selected to represent Great Britain at this event.

"My training has been tough for the preparation for 3rd dan, the biggest worry for me is that I’m the first to do this grade in Japan so nobody can tell me what to expect.

"Prior to this year all 3rd dan applicants could do this in Great Britain.

"It's always been a dream of mine to one day go to Japan and train. So im fulfilling a 28-year dream and achieving something very special to me.

"The support from Shihan Paul, Shihan Mac Robertson and from my mentor Sensei Richard Males, who still very much teaches me despite his retirement from Kyokushin, has been excellent.

"I hope I come back with the right results. But also not forgetting the support from my students, without them it would have been a great struggle.

"But more importantly, the support from my wife and children in this, I’ve spent what seems like endless days training and away from them, I’m very grateful to have such a supportive family.

The club operate out of Castleland Community Centre and have separate adult and junior classes.

For more information you can find them on facebook or visit bkkc.co.uk