OKEHAMPTON karate students performed well at a major national championship held last month.

The Wado Academy National championships were this year held in Chippenham, Wiltshire. This is one of the most important competitions in the year for students who train in the Wado-Ryu — Way of Peace — style of karate.

There were more than 200 competitors, with age groups ranging from children up to senior grades.

The Shikukai Devon club, which meets weekly at Okehampton and Whiddon Down, entered two students: Manny Remano, who was taking part in his first ever competition, and William Kent, who was instructor Stephen Chamberlain's first student when he started the club just over three years ago.

William was entered in two categories, the kumite —fighting — and the kata, a series of fighting movements done solo. William has entered the last three national championships and always comes back with some silverware for the trophy cabinet.

This year he narrowly missed out on a trophy in the kata. After getting through the first two rounds, the final was contested by the last eight competitors where William gained fourth place.

In the kumite competition, Manny was unlucky to meet the eventual winner of his category, losing by half a point to a fighter trained at the main Shikukai dojo in London. William was in the same group and fought his way to the final to face Manny's conqueror.

It was a close fight with both competitors demonstrating good Wado fighting techniques and etiquette. At the bell the only score was half a point to the other fighter and William had to be content with taking the second place trophy.

Sensei Stephen Chamberlain, fifth dan, said: 'Both William and Manny were fighting students who had been training longer and were higher grades than themselves. Both gained a lot of experience and were good ambassadors for Shikukai Devon.'

Stephen Chamberlain teaches karate on Wednesday at Whiddon Down village hall, between 6pm and 9pm, and Friday at the Ockment Centre, in Okehampton between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. For more contact him on 01837 54810 or through the Ockment Centre.