TWO Yorkshire champions have been picked to represent England in the World Karate Championships in Indonesia this November.
Jamie Gridley, 15, and Emelye O’Brien, 17, who train at NCAA (Newby's Combat Arts Academy) within Vision Fitness and Martial Arts Centre at Cross Hills, will compete against the best fighters from around the world.
The young hopefuls, who have been trained under the watchful eyes of Silsden's karate world champion Paul Newby, are fully committed to return with gold medals.
Jamie’s parents Michael and Debbie said it was a nerve-wracking time waiting to hear if the pair had made the team.
Selections were held in London, with over 30 students aiming to get picked and only ten making it. Jamie was the youngest and the only cadet chosen.
Jamie, a pupil of South Craven School, will be fighting in the Cadet minus 52 category, and is on a strict training and diet programme.
Emelye, from Bradford, will fight in the heavyweight junior category. They will acclimatise in the first week before competing in the second.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here