MEMBERS of Barry Kyokushin Karate Club claimed five British titles earlier this month, after attending the finals of the IKO British Knockdown Championships on Saturday, November 18.

Ten students represented the club in the finals, with 12-year-old Justine Bolanos winning the Cadet Knockdown category against her teammate, 11-year-old Angel Benevent, scoring two wazari (half-points) in the final to grab the first win of the day.

Eleven-year-old James Shi came through five rounds in the Kumite category to win his event, and there were also wins for Leanne Lirio, 13, Ben Belanos, 12, and Rhian Evans in the Novice Ladies' Lightweight event.

Evans was also narrowly pipped into second place in the European Kata competition, while Lirio took the runner's up spot in the Kata event for her age group. Kelly Shi finished third in the same event.

There was a further runners-up spot for Justine Bolanos, while Cerys Jones also took third in the 14-15 no body armour category and Gareth Dutton managed likewise in the Men's Heavyweight Adult Knockdown.

Honourable mention also goes to 12-year-old Brodie Taylor, who claimed two wins before exiting at the semi-final stage in his event.

Club instructor Sensei Phill said : "All students performed exceptionally well, I’m so proud of all of them for their efforts at this tournament.

"Our club seems to have been going from strength to strength (and) for the last 10 years we have taken over 40 titles now.

"My students will now focus on their grading in December. We have our Welsh Championships to work towards early next year, we have a tournament in Bulgaria, both junior and senior summer camps where we hope to promote the club's 13th Black Belt and we have our club's 40th anniversary to celebrate, so there's lots going on.

"It’s going to be another very exciting year ahead for us."

Barry Kyokushin Karate club now train out of the Barry YMCA. They have classes for 4-5 year olds, 6-10 year olds, 11-15 year olds and 16 years and above. These classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Further information on the club can be found at www.bkkc.co.uk