Delight as karate kid girls qualify for world contest
EMMA CURRY
TWO youngsters are celebrating qualification for the World Karate Championships.
Olivia Hanson, nine, and Casey Broadhurst, 13, have stormed regional and national contests and earned places among the world’s best.
The pair have been training at Valley Shorai Karate Club in Ewood Bridge – Olivia for almost three years and Casey for five – under the tuition of sensei Neil Holroyd.
They have battled through the ranks, earning belts and medals, and, after both taking third place in their age groups in the national championships, will get to compete in Dublin from October 30 to November 5 this year.
Casey, of Brow Edge, Newchurch, who is going into Year 9 at All Saints RC High School, Rawtenstall, in September, first visited the karate club when her brother Tommy, now 10, took lessons.
Mum Sue said: “We took her brother and she said, ‘can I try that?’. She’s been going ever since. She’s doing very well and she does try hard, she’s got a flair for the kicks and she’s quite snappy, it comes easily to her.”
Sue, a mum-of-three, won’t be able to go to Dublin with Casey, as she ●● Olivia Hanson, nine, and Casey Broadhurst, 13, are to compete in the World Karate Championships has a young baby, now seven months old, but step-dad Lawrence will be there, cheering her on.
Casey, who trains between two and four times a week, said: “I’m really excited, I’ve always wanted to go to the nationals and qualify.
“I’ve been training really hard, trying to get everything perfect. If I get a medal I’ll be so pleased, but even if I don’t I’ll improve and I can say to people, ‘I’ve been to the world championships’.”
Olivia, of Dearden Fold, Edenfield, is going into Year 5 at Stubbins Primary School this September and trains around three times a week.
Her mum Adele, said: “Olivia’s a bit of a tomboy, so when one of the lads at school started karate she wanted to try it.
“When she got through the nationals, we didn’t expect it – that was the first big event she’s been in, but she’s really good at it.”
Sensei Neil said: “They both have a bit of spring in their steps. Casey is exceptionally good and Olivia is like the little mouse that roared. They have both entered local competitions and interclub events. Then they went on to bigger competitions, where they have to ‘place’.
“I allowed them to enter the nationals, and they both came third so they qualify for the world championships.
“I’ll be doing it with them so we’ll all be there.” A 69-YEAR-OLD woman has been taken to hospital with head injuries and two broken legs following a collision with a van.
Paramedics and police were called to Pilling Street in Waterfoot following the incident, at around 5.45pm on Thursday, August 11.
Lancashire Police said the pensioner was knocked to the ground in the collision with a white Peugeot van.
She was taken to hospital with head injuries, two broken legs and also possible fractures to her ankles and pelvis.
No arrests have been made.