Kata kids: victory smiles from fighters of the Veras Academy

Published: 28 January, 2016
by STEVE BARNETT

MIGHTY martial artists from Veras Academy took the English Karate Championships by storm as they returned home from Ponds Forge in Sheffield with a majestic 18 medals. 

Members from the academy, which runs classes across Camden and Islington, took to the mats to show off their skills in the kata, where they are judged on chor­eo­graphed patterns of movement, and the kumite, a form of fighting or grappling. 

Brothers Luca and Luan Veras started the show with a bang as they both grabbed golds, with Luca, 8, winning the 9 years and under kata and Luan, 11, taking top spot in the 10-to-11-year-olds kumite competition. Luan’s gold came with some brotherly bragging rights as he beat sibling Liam, 10, in a close-fought final. 

There was no bitterness between the brothers, however, as Luan and Liam joined up with Seyhan Cinar in the team events to win both their kata and kumite competitions. 

Younger brother Luca bagged another gold in the team events as he won the 9 years and under kata, alongside club-mates Jack Walsh and Daniel Gardner. 

The gold rush continued with Chloe Casimir and Andras Tamas winning their respective events, while Donna Blake scooped a silver in the kumite and a bronze in the kata. 

There were also bronze medals for Demie Holland, Belle Bautista, Harry Elvis, Luke Kavanagh, Ben Pomeroy and Elisabeth Fahrenkamp. 

Duo Tamas and Paul Gibson wrapped up the medal count by winning a bronze medal in the men’s kumite team event. 

Sensei Raphael Veras said he couldn’t be more proud of his team following their showing in Sheffield on January 17. 

“It was a great day for us, I cannot express how happy I am to see such tremendous performances from each and every one of my fighters,” he said.