Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Airdrie club excited by karate star visit
Lanarkshire Karate Academy’s young prospects are hoping to learn plenty of tips and tricks off the talented Niamh Junner.
The karate star from Barrhead will drop in at the Airdrie club this week to have a chat with some aspiring youths hoping to achieve success like she has.
It takes place this Friday between 6-8pm and those involved in the kumite seminar have been notified of their participation.
The 20-year-old is a world-leader for her age in the sport, having managed to fight her way all the way to top spot in the World Karate Federation’s female under-21 ranking charts.
She is no stranger to success. Back in 2019, Junner claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships in Chile and in 2020, took home a silver medal at the European Continental Championships, which were held in Hungary.
Junner takes inspiration from both of her parents - mum Lesley Anne and dad Douglas - who are both black belt experts in karate.
She placed fifth at last year’s senior World Championships in Dubai and this month competed at the first senior WKF event of the year in Pamplona, Spain, where she grabbed a silver medal.
Lanarkshire Karate Academy Sensei Chantelle Allan spoke of the club’s pride in landing a session with Junner.
She said:“we are delighted to have Niamh coming to LKA this month, having just took silver at the WKF Series A in Spain.
“As well as Niamh’s most recent success she is also former WKF vice European champion U21 and WKF bronze medallist junior.
“Niamh has picked up many international titles and medals, as well as spending lots of time at international training camps with top athletes and coaches from all over the world.
“This is an amazing opportunity and preparation for our squad ahead of their upcoming international events.
“We are looking forward to it, our team can’t wait to learn and be inspired.”