Luca Veras stole the show with a hat-trick of gold medals at the British Karate Federation Four Nations Championship in Sheffield.

The eight-year-old was the outstanding performer among the contingent from Islington-based Veras Academy, winning both individual kata and kumite in the 7-9 years age group.

He also teamed up with brother Liam, 10, to take gold in the 7-10 years pairs kata, while the latter picked up an individual silver medal for kata in the 10-11 years section.

Eldest brother Luan Veras won silver in the Under-40g kumite for 12 to 13-year-olds, with the academy also accruing a stack of bronze medals at the two-day tournament.

Lucienne Brown won bronze in the 12-13 years Under-40kg kumite and also joined Demie Holland for another third place in the 11-13 years pairs kata event.

Isaac Gibson and Jack Gentili Walsh took bronze in the 7-10 years pairs kata, while there were similar medals for Chloe Casimir (14-15 years Over-54kg kumite) and Jeremy Mejia (16-17 years Over-76kg kumite).

At senior level, bronze medals went to Donna Blake (Over-68kg kumite), Sam Mrabet (Under-84kg kumite), Mette McLarney (veterans’ kata) and Bernadete Urrutia (veterans’ kumite).

Head instructor Sensei Raphael Veras said: “We believe that by training our students in kihon, kata and kumite they will receive the most meaningful karate training.

“This definitely shone through at the championships and I am very happy with the results. The standard was extremely high, as usual, and each member of the team put in very strong performances.”