Renfrew martial artists head for world cup
Karate youths have high hopes
Young members of a successful karate club are flying the flag for Renfrewshire at a major world competition.
A team from the Shitokai Karate Club, based at Renfrew Leisure Centre, are on a medal winning mission to the World Karate Federation Youth World Cup in Umag, Croatia.
Eight young martial artists arrived for the major international tournament this week with high hopes of securing silverware.
But it’s going to be a tough task as 2,500 athletes from 69 country’s will descend on the Croatian coast for three days of training with some of the top karate practitioners in the world, followed by the three day competition.
Coach Stephanie Connell says the team are raring to go and are looking too build on the success of previous years at the competition.
She said: “As a club, our squad has medalled at this tournament for the past five years running so we are looking to continue that.
“All our athletes have prepared well and are ready for this tournament, time to put it together on the mat.
“I want to wish all our athletes good luck, go do yourselves proud.
“The standard at this tournament is extremely high, with ranking points for the Youth Olympics in 2018 up for grabs – it’s going to be exciting.”
The team’s youngest competitor is Harry McKay who is the current Scottish champion and he will compete in kumite or fighting, in the 12 to 13, under 55kg category.
Emma Ruthven is the Scottish Champion and third in Britain, she will compete in cadet, 14 to 15, Kata.
They will be joined by the current Scottish and British Champion, Alex Marshall, who will look to medal in the cadet Kata along with Matthew Chalk, who is second in Scotland and third in the UK.
Amiee Pollard will fight in the cadet under 47kg category. She is currently ranked third in the whole of Europe.
The team will also be hoping that Fiona Slow, who is ranked second in Scotland, will compete in junior 16 to 17 Kata category.
Heather McIlraith, who is the current Scottish champion and ranked third in Britain, enters the under 21 kata.
And Jordan Szafranek is going into his final under 21 tournament as Scottish champion and second in Britain.