Mighty medal haul: Sensei Raphael Veras in Latvia with, from left, Seyhan Cinar, Liam and Luan Veras, with Luca Veras and Jack Walsh in front

Published: 8 January, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

SENSEI Raphael Veras is hoping that his team of young karate kids can hit the heights yet again in 2015 after seeing his squad of martial artists conquer competitions both home and abroad last year. 

The Veras Academy, which is made up of young people from across Camden and Islington, has gone from strength-to-strength since being recognised as an association by the English Karate Federation in September after passing the 100-members mark. 

Students from the club won countless medals as they represented the UK in France, Luxemburg, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and Estonia. The success has left Sensei Veras with little doubt that he has future world champions in his midst. “The medals that we have won prove that we are on the right path to producing future world champions,” he said. 

Top of the chops: Future world champions, from left, Ben Pomeroy, Lucienne Brown, Luke Kavanagh, Luan Veras, Daniel Chamoun, Seyhan Cinar and England international Jasmine Pomeroy are all being tipped to make it to the top by their Sensei

“To win gold medals against top fighters from Eastern Europe isn’t easy as they are true warriors, so it proves that we have true warriors too. 

“If our young warriors continue to work hard in training they will be rewarded. I’m confident some of our students will even go on to represent England.” 

For further information about the Veras Karate Academy and the classes being held near you visit www.verasacademy.co.uk