GOLDEN BOY
Eight-year-old Kai takes double prizes in British Championships
A Rutherglen schoolboy has taken the karate world by storm after returning from the British Championships last weekend as a DOUBLE gold medallist.
Eight-year-old Kai Campbell was one of few who tasted glory at the event in Leicester Arena, which had more than 700 entrants.
Martial arts maestro Kai outclassed nearly 40 talented youngsters in the age 7-9 and under 25kg category to become British champion.
And he was triumphant once again alongside Euan Barton and Moaadh Hassan, his Glasgow team-mates from Satori Karate Club, in the team championship event.
It was a special moment for Kai’s dad David, who was Scottish karate champion in 1999 and won several other medals while competing.
David, 31, who runs Satori Karate Club and coaches hundreds of youngsters every week, said: “A lot of people involved in karate will never achieve a gold medal, never mind Kai winning two.
“The competition was tough but his confidence was clearly growing after he got early wins in the tournament.
“I just knew he was going to get gold.
“Kai’s taken it all in his stride and I don’t think he quite realises how big an achievement this is.
“He’s already thinking of the next competition in a few weeks’ time and has been pretty reserved about it all - which is a good thing because when you start to get a big head, that’s when you start to lose.”
Kai first started karate training aged three - around the same age his father picked up the sport.
Satori Karate Club has grown into the biggest karate organisation in Glasgow, with almost 1000 members, and also teaches in schools in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.
Eight boys and seven girls from the club travelled to the championships in Leicester and they returned home with a total of three gold, one silver and four bronze medals.
Kai’s mum Stephanie said: “The parents of the kids drove
down separately but we all stayed in the same hotel and were all supporting the kids.
“They all did fantastic. I’m so proud of Kai – I’m always in his corner when he comes off the mat!”
Karate was developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom, which later became part of Japan, and is now predominantly a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes and open-hand techniques.