11:17am Monday 26th November 2007
By Bill Marshall
Ilkley's William Coates has struck gold in the World Karate Championships at Marina di Carrara.
The competition, which included a variety of martial arts, attracted more than 2,500 competitors to the Italian venue from over 70 countries.
Coates, a 12-year-old from Ilkley Karate Club, won the traditional kumite title for ten to 12-year-old blue to black belt competitors in the under-160cm class.
He clinched his place in the final with a 6-0 win over a Macedonian and was up against a Belgian for the title.
William took the fight to his opponent with several excellently-timed body punches for one point each.
Frustration caught up with his rival who landed a punch to the face and was warned for improper and dangerous contact, William being awarded a point.
Coates scored again and the clock ran down with him 5-1 ahead. On his way to pick up his gold medal, William was presented with an engraved samurai sword. He also competed in semi-contact kick-boxing, finishing a creditable third on his debut.
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