EIGHT competitors from Bradford took part in the World Martial Kombat Federation (WMKF) World Championships in Malta.

The team from Jason Murray Martial Arts School in Queensbury came away with 12 medals, winning one gold, six silvers and five bronzes.

Robert Rack, who is the oldest team member aged 45 and was battling the pain of sciatica, won their only gold medal in the veterans' kata and later took a bronze in the synchronised kata.

"I was very happy to win the gold as I was one of the oldest present at the tournament," said Rack.

"I have been studying karate for over six years, so to win the gold medal at the World Championships is brilliant.

"There were competitors from all around the globe and even the team representing England were from all over the country, so to win the medal was a real honour."

Caleb Murray, son of the school's owner Jason, won silver in the black-belt kata and bronzes in the traditional weapons, team kata and the under-65kg semi-contact fighting.

Alex Dickinson took bronze in the black-belt kata, while teenager Harleen Kaur lifted silver in the under-65kg semi-contact fighting.

Yvonne Jack won silvers in the under-60kg semi-contact fighting and the under-60kg light continuous fighting.

Stephen Jack took silver at 85kg-plus light-continuous fighting and completing the medal haul was Mark Brook, who won silver in the veterans' semi-contact fighting and veterans' kata, unfortunately losing out to team-mate Rack.

The latter, who has now stopped training after his Maltese success, is figuring out what the next adventure is in his karate career.

"I have had a few injuries over the past few years but I kept training, so I am now looking forward to giving my body a rest," said Rack.

"I'm interested in teaching karate to young kids to try and bring through the next crop of Bradford talent but I haven't got a confirmed plan yet."