Students from the Ilkley Karate Club, based at the Ben Rhydding Methodist Church, were successful at the 2nd SKU Kata Championships 2003 held at Birchwood Leisure Centre in Warrington.

The Ilkley Club run by instructors Mark Outterside (4th Dan) and Simon Holden (1st Dan) came away with one first place and two third place trophies.

Only seven Ilkley students took part in the competition, making the results still more pleasing for the instructors.

Competing for the first time eight year-old Calum Kerr shone in the boys' yellow/orange belt category by taking the first place trophy. Calum dominated the event after the first round and was rewarded with close to perfect marks by the kata judges in almost every round.

In the Team Kata event, the Ilkley Team of Tashina Earle, Hana White and team captain Helen Sugden, came third in the Cadet junior grade Team Kata.

This is an event in which all the team members must be synchronised in every move when performing the kata. The girls were in joint first place with two other teams after the elimination round.

Helen Sugden was also unlucky not to make the final in the girls green to purple belt category after losing out by one point in a category that had over 30 competitors.

In the adult event David Joy came third in the men's yellow/orange belt category making a promising debut.

Mark Outterside singled out the performances of his rising stars Helen Sugden and Calum Kerr as the events they were entered in were very competitive.

Other club members Jack Hanson, Ashley Woodhouse, Frankie Johnston and Andrew Johnston also did well on the day.

Contact Mark Outterside on 01943 601297 or visit the club website www.ilkleykarate.co.uk.