Medal masters: Sanan Aliyev and Raphael Veras with Luan, Luca, and Liam.

Published: 31 October, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

WHAT a weekend it was for members of the Veras Academy.

Nine fights in two different countries that saw the karate club celebrate three more championship wins, setting a new club record in the process.

Sensei Raphael Veras and his three sons Luan, Luca and Liam returned from the Coupe Internationale de Kayl in Luxembourg with a mighty medal haul.

Skilful six-year-old Luca won all three of his fights in the Under-8s category to grab a deserved gold.

Competing in the Under-10s age group, Luan, 9, added two more medals to his personal tally after taking a silver medal in the Kata, a competition judging technique and movement, and a bronze in the fight category.

Liam, 8, completed the siblings’ success by bagging a bronze in his Under-10s fighting competition.

Not to be outdone dad Raphael, 31, won gold in the senior open fight category and took a bronze in the 70kg fight division.

Meanwhile club-mate Sanan Aliyev, 23, beat competitors from Belgium, Switzerland and France to be crowned champion at the Basel Masters Open 2013.

The Veras Academy hold regular classes in Camden and Islington. Go to www.veras academy.co.uk for details.