Three Pro-Karate Academy members crowned champions at British Karate Federation’s Four Nations Championships

Three Pro-Karate Academy members were crowned champions at the British Karate Federation’s Four Nations Championships.

Sensei Harry Marsden, Talia Nardelli and Eleni Spearman all claimed gold medals in their events in County Durham.

There were also two silver and five bronze medals for students from the club that runs classes in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Saffron Walden.

Second dan black belt Marsden, who claimed the Mantle Space-sponsored sports personality title at the 2023 Indies community awards, came first in the senior male kata category.

Nardelli, who was recently crowned English champion, took gold in cadet kumite to add to her growing list of titles.

And 11-year-old Spearman moved convincingly through the kumite rounds to become champion in the 10-11 age group.

Silver medals were won by Annabel Changer (kumite) and Dylan Barnes (kata) while bronze medals were scooped by Erin Brewin and Nada Wegryzyn, both aged 14, in the female cadet kata category.

After her individual success, Spearman joined team-mates Jess Allmark and Emily Picton to claim bronze in team kumite.

Further bronze medals were added to the PKA tally by Picton (individual kumite) and Amelie Calcott, who was participating in her first major competition, in the age 12-13 kumite category.

“The whole team performed brilliantly,” said club owner and fourth dan Sensei Chelsea Sydes.

“I’m so proud of how the squad is consistently medalling. The hard work and dedication is paying off.”

The club is looking for sponsors to help athletes cover the cost of competing at international events as no central association funding is available. Email pkaoffice@yahoo.com or call Sensei Chelsea Sydes on 07545 583389 if you can help.

To find out more about the club, go to www.facebook.com/chelseasydeskarate or follow @pro-karate-hertsandessex on Instagram.