A FANTASTIC finish to 2011 was on the cards for the Rising-Sun-Kyokushin-Karate Club, after what was to be the most successful year so far.

2011 brought two new British Champions to the forefront, with an up and coming class of future talent also climbing the rankings.

In February, Paul Stephens was chosen to represent Wales at the Wales vs England event held at Bishops Stortford in England, where he endured three three-minute rounds of knockdown karate, eventually emerging the winner at the end of the match. March saw sempai Spencer Bennett take the 2011 IKK (International Kyokushin Karate) British under 70kg Full Contact title, after taking on and beating competitors from France, Holland and Sweden. Paul Stephens took third place in the heavyweight section.

In July, Courtenay Taylor represented Great Britain in the third Under 18 World tournament in the K2 Arena, Crawley.

Courtenay fought in the +58kg category and had to attend every British team training session and three different training camps, which involved training up to four times in a day, and was vigourously put through her paces at the Rising-Sun club before the event.

She eventually fought the top-seeded Belgium Sandy Van Valthoen with three hard-fought extention rounds, and the Belgium fighter won on a split decision and went on to place second in the World event.

In September five members fought at a local derby in Mountain Ash, where Neil Griffiths, Mathew Dixon, Natasha Cunvin, George Cocks and Brady Thomas took the chance to compete against the latest crop of emerging talents in Wales. The club members fought courageously and showed good spirit, doing everyone proud.

In October, The Bkk (British Karate Kyokushinkai) British Championships in Crawley handed the Rising-Sun Club another British Title, after Paul Stephens won the Novice Heavyweight section of the championships after three hard battles. Caroline Whitlock placed third in the Womans Lightweight section.

In November, Spencer Bennett traveled to Poland to compete in the world's best 16 lightweight competition under 70kgs in Wakraw.

Spencer took on the number two ranked Hugarian Csba Gall, going the distance and five three-minute rounds. The match was decided and a split decision gave it to the Hungarian.

Spencer is now aiming to rejuvinate and compete for the European Championship mid February in Holland.

In December, The Rising-Sun-Kyokushin Karate Club put on "The Fight for Tara Night", where seven adults and 15 junior members went head to head with the Cardiff Kyokushin Club and Mountain Ash.

"All members put in an absolutely fantastic effort, with great spirit for the event", said brothers and club instructors Lee and Spencer Bennett.

"Tara Mackie tragically died after being knocked down in Dinas Powys recently, and the money raised (yet to be awarded) will go to Tara's son, for the Harvey Hudson Fund."

The Rising-Sun Club were also invited to help at the Christmas lights switch-on at High Street.

The club was directed by Sensei Lee Bennett, showing the basic methods, power and strength of the Kyokushin Karate style, finnishing off with tamashiwari (breaking tiles) as the finale.

Anyone interested in joining the Rising-Sun-Kyokushin Karate Club, aged four to 99, is welcome to come along for a first free lesson at the Samurai Centre, Savoy Buildings, 109 Broad Street, on Thursdays 6-7pm (age 4-7); 7-8pm (age 8-15); or 8-9pm (age 16+).

Alternatively call Lee Bennett on 07861 699476 or visit ww.rising-sun-kyokushin.co.uk