Despite facing competitors who travelled to Cheshire from all over the United Kingdom, Ilkley Karate Club members still showed that they had the golden touch in the Shito-Ryu Shukokai National Championships.

Under the guidance of chief instructor Mark Outterside, they won six golds, seven silvers and two bronze medals.

Former WKF champion Tanya Donkin made it a hat-trick of golds by winning the kata, kumite and team kumite events, while colleague Elly Field wasn’t far behind as she secured two golds and a silver, only losing out to Tanya in the girls’ black belt kata.

Ten-year-old Sam Berry, who is a star in the making, took a well-deserved bronze and silver in the kumite events, while nine-year-old Joe Jamieson secured another gold for Ilkley, clubmates George Kent and Charlie Miller taking the other final placings in a large category.

The boys were also part of an Ilkley team which lost out in the final two bouts to one.

These were promising debuts for Kent, Miller, and fellow newcomer Grace Waller was also a finalist in her event.

A proud Outterside said: “These results just goes to show how strong the club really is and also puts Ilkley well and truly on the martial arts map.

“The club is currently celebrating its 23rd year and these results make the anniversary even more pleasing.”

The chief placings for Ilkley were: Kata, girls’ junior grade: 2 Grace Waller. Children’s black belt: 1 Tanya Donkin 2 Elly Field. Men’s junior grade: 2 Phil Jamieson. Men’s brown belt: 2 Richard Kovacs.

Kumite (free fighting), children’s yellow to purple under 4ft 4in: 1 Joe Jamieson, 2 George Kent, 3 Charlie Miller. Children’s yellow to purple belt under 4ft 10in: 3 Sam Berry. Girls’ senior grade under 5ft: 1 Elly Field. Girls’ senior grade over 5ft: 1 Tanya Donkin. Men’s brown belt: 1 Richard Kovacs.

Team kumite, children’s senior grade team: 2 Piers Walton. Children under-ten: 2 Ilkley (Sam Berry, Joe Jamieson, George Kent, Charlie Miller). Girls’ senior grades: 1 Ilkley (Tanya Donkin, Elly Field, Rose Blackburne).

For further details about the club, visit the club website at www.ilkleykarate.co.uk.