Islington-based Veras Academy began the new year by amassing eight gold medals – and 23 overall – at the English Karate (kyu grade) Championships in Sheffield.

Luca Veras set the ball rolling with gold in the Under-nine boys’ kata and kumite.

His brother Luan followed suit in the 10-11 years boys’ kumite category, where a third brother, Liam, took the silver medal.

Chloe Casimir claimed gold in the 14-15 years girls’ kumite at Over-54kg, with Andras Tamas completing the academy’s individual successes by winning the men’s kumite at Under-75kg.

Donna Blake collected a silver medal in kumite and bronze in kata, while there were also bronze medals for Belle Bautista (Under-nine girls’ kumite) and Demie Holland (10-11 years girls’ kumite).

Luke Kavanagh claimed bronze in the 10-13 years boys’ kata, as did Harry Elvis in the learning difficulties category and Ben Pomeroy at Under-57kg in the 14-15 years boys’ kumite.

The academy’s remaining honours came in the team events, where Luca Veras, Jack Walsh and Daniel Gardner triumphed at Under-nine kata and Luan Veras, Liam Veras and Seyhan Cinar won the 10-11 years kumite.

The same trio repeated that feat in the 10-13 years kata, while Tamas and Paul Gibson teamed up to take bronze medals in the men’s kumite.

Chief instructor Sensei Raphael Veras said: “This was a great day for the association. I cannot express how happy I am to see such tremendous performances from everyone in the team.”

For more information about Veras Academy, who have a varied calendar of international competitions lined up for 2016, visit www.verasacademy.co.uk