Islington’s Ken-Bu-Kan school scooped a total of 10 medals at the English national championships in Sheffield.

Brandon Wilkins and Romahn Flemmings got the ball rolling with a team gold medal in the male 12-13 years section, while Nikkisha Bailey edged out team-mate Danielle Kirby to claim her seventh successive national title in the female 15 years’ category.

There were also gold medals for siblings Michelle Little and Alex Little, while 10-year-old Jack Ward came through five rounds to reach the final of his section, but ran out of steam and had to settle for silver.

Ward and Charlie Coulson were also in action in the team categories, where they both won bronze medals, while Coulson picked up another bronze in the male 15 years individual section.

The youngest member of the squad, eight-year-old Nya Enver, won her first two rounds with ease before bowing out at the quarter-final stage.

For more information about the Ken-Bu-Kan School, who hold training sessions at Highbury Grove School on Mondays and Wednesday from 6pm, contact coach Andy Michaelides.

You can send an email to kbk_karate@hotmail.com, visit www.kbk-karate.co.uk or call 07956 165 826.

Meanwhile, nine-year-old Luan Veras continued his excellent form by collecting a gold medal at the seventh Open Jeunes d’Orleans championships in France.

The youngster, who trains at the Veras Academy run by his father, Sensei Raphael, won the Under-40kg kumite category for eight to 10-year-olds at the championships in Le Mans.

Three other Veras Academy fighters also competed in the tournament – Luan’s younger brother Liam, Emre Oner and Andrew Mclarney – but were unable to get among the medals this time.

For more information about the academy, who hold training sessions at Ringcross Community Centre, Islington, visit www.verasacademy.co.uk