THREE members of a Wellington-based karate club have won world silver medals at the JKS International Cup held in Tokyo, Japan.

The trio, who train at Somerset Ryū Karate, represented the England National Squad at the championships which took place on Thursday and Friday last week.

Thea Priest won silver competing in the 18-49yrs Koten Kata category with a massive 60 entrants both male and female; these kata are complex, dynamic sequences of movement which challenge even the most accomplished karate athletes.

Siblings George and Lucie Tarr both won silver medals in the team events.

Lucie was part of the England 14-16yrs Female Team Kata with two other England teammates, beating several countries on their way to securing second place and only narrowly missing out on gold by 0.3 points.

George also took silver as part of the England 17-19yrs Male Team Kata; this is a highly challenging event in which all three participants need to be perfectly in sync as they perform a sequence of powerful, explosive movements with impeccable timing and poise.

Club instructor Peter Milne said: “These are outstanding results on the biggest possible stage.

“It is every karate athlete’s dream to compete in Japan; all three of my students on the England squad were selected to go and have grasped the opportunity with both hands.

“They have certainly inspired all of our club members back home and we are so proud of them.

“I’m sure, as a result, we will have more members wanting to try out for national selection when it comes around again in January.

“The scope for personal growth and success at our club is immense.”

Somerset Ryū Karate are a full-time karate dojo based inside Tonedale Mill and teach traditional Japanese Shotokan karate to people of all ages and abilities.

If you’d like to enquire about joining then please visit www.somerset-ryu.com for more information.