Students from WTKO South West in Kings­bridge travelled to Maynooth University just outside of Dublin, Ireland, on July 29, to attend the World Traditional Karate Orga­nisation international summer camp and competition.

It was a four-day event, with most of each day taken up with training under the lead instructors Steve Ubl eighth dan, John Mullin eighth dan, Richard Amos seventh dan, Scott Lang­ley sixth dan and Scott Mid­dleton sixth dan.

The camp was attended by more than 200 people from around the world all wanting to develop their karate skills and friendships and tap into the amazing wealth of knowledge that was present.

Saturday saw the competition and Kings­bridge student Mary Egginton won a bronze medal for kumite (fighting) in her category and other WTKO GB competitors Sandra Carr, Jody Carr, and Brandon Carr also gained medals in the tournament for their various categories.

The camp was held at the picturesque May­nooth University campus, set in beautiful grounds and steeped in history all just outside the city of Dublin itself.

Medal-winner Mary said: ‘It was such an amazing experience, not only to compete in the competition but to have access to all of that knowledge and experience, it made my head explode!’ Mary has been practising karate now for more than eight years and achieved her black belt just over a year ago.

Sally Hawkes, who has been training for 20 years, said: ‘I really enjoyed myself and managed to push further than I ever thought possible and learned so much.

‘I also made some great friends and met up with some old ones. I’m so glad I went, it was an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world.’

Next year the WTKO summer camp will be held at Staten Island, New York and Kingsbridge students will be raising funds to enable them to go.

Anybody wishing to sponsor the Kings­bridge karate kids should contact Ash, Jay or Sal Hawkes on 07792 574745 or email [email protected]. Anyone wishing to learn more about karate should visit www.wtkosw.com.