Veras Academy Karate Club

Published: 30 January, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

A TOP team of martial artists from across Camden and Islington really hit the heights on Sunday when they scooped a mighty medal haul in Sheffield.

Of a squad of 13 fighters from the Veras Academy Karate Club, 10 returned home from the English National Championships proudly sporting medals around their necks.

Held at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Liam Veras started the ball rolling when he won silver in the nine and under individual kata, a challenging event where judges mark form during detailed choreographed patterns of movement.

The talented eight-year-old, who goes to Sacred Heart Primary School in Holloway, Islington, then teamed up with his older brother Luan and Emre Oner, who are both nine and also go to Sacred Heart, to win gold in the team fighting event – successfully defending the title they won last year.

Luan also won gold in the nine and under individual fighting category after beating Liam in the semi-finals.

Liam wasn’t too disappointed, however, as he collected a bronze medal for his efforts.

The medal count continued to climb with Paddy Gemmell, 9, and Lucienne Brown, 10, who both go to Torriano School in Kentish Town, winning a silver and bronze medal in their respective fight categories. Luke Kavanagh and Archie Gemmell also won bronze in the 10 to 11-year old team fight event.

There was also success for senior fighters with Patricia Perote, Bernadette Urrutia and Dawn Kavanagh striking gold in the female team fight.

Patricia and Bernadette also won individual bronze medals.

• For details on the karate classes being held over Camden and Islington, visit www.verasacademy.co.uk