Karate wizard off to Oz
Sittingbourne's very own karate kid is taking on the world’s
best next year despite starting the martial art only just over 12
months ago.
Charlie Weatherill is off to Australia in July after winning
gold medals in regional and national competitions.
Not bad for an eight-year-old who started going to classes to
“have a go” after seeing other youngsters arriving in their karate
gear.
Proud mum Emma, 35, of Amethyst Drive, Sittingbourne, who also
goes to the GKR lessons at South Avenue Infants’ School, said: “He
said he wanted to try it and we both started at the same time.
“It’s brilliant. There’s so much technique involved that there’s
always something new to learn.
“All children want to become black belts and it gives him
confidence to look after himself.”
Charlie, a South Avenue Junior School pupil, has proved he is
more than a match for youngsters his age, winning gold at the
regional competition in Aldershot aged seven, where he took on
other orange belts.
“We had talked about the fact he wasn’t likely to win because it
was out first tournament but he came away with a gold medal,” said
Emma, an accountant.
Then last month was the national contest in Sheffield where
Charlie was cheered on by about 30 family and friends, including
his dad Chris.
Emma continued: “We had the same chat about not expecting to
win, because this time everyone there had been to a regional and
won a gold or silver. We were just going for the experience but he
won a gold medal there too.
“I had a little tear in my eye. I was very proud.”
And next July, Charlie, who celebrated his eighth birthday last
month, and his mum are off to Sydney for his first international
competition.
But before then, he and Emma are both hoping to advance to their
green belts, with their grading taking place on Sunday (Dec 9).
Emma said they had come a long way since deciding to take up
karate. “We have made loads of friends through it. Everyone is just
so nice.
“Charlie tries really hard at it and he’s really focussed. We
just have a go.”
04/12/12
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