Burns’ belters on top of the World in Italy!
MEMBERS of a north martial arts school put on a spectacular floor show to help England to glory on the world stage, writes TONY HODGSON.
Seventeen students from the Benton-based Burns School of Black Belts were in the 103-strong national squad competing in the WTKA World Championships in Marina di Carrara, Italy.
The Tuscany-based event featured 5,000 athletes and attracted around 40,000 spectators.
That did not daunt the Burns party, however, which returned home with an impressive 69 medals – 36 gold, 26 silver and seven bronze.
Harry McDowell led the way with seven gold medals, closely followed by Lucy Collins with five.
Other gold medallists were Milly McDowell (3), Claire McDowell (2), Laura Innes (2), Millie Clark (2), Simon Collins (1), Bethan Rochester (3), Jay Bartoli (1), Asha Bartoli (3), Yasmin Burns (1), Tegan Burns (1), Callum Dillon (2) and Rick Burns (3).
Silvers went to Laura Innes (2), Simon Collins (1), Lucy Collins (2), Millie Clark (3), Lesley Davison (2), Libby Davison (1), Bethan Rochester (4), Asha Bartoli (3), Jay Bartoli (3), Yasmin Burns (1), Regan Burns (2) and Callum Dillon ( 2).
Bronze medals were won by Jess Innes (2), Millie Clark (4) and Libby Davison (1).
The Burns squad qualified for Italy after impressing at various regional and national competitions during the year.
Club founder and head instructor Rick Burns said: “I am so proud of all of them for everything they have achieved on and off the mat.
“Our squad members worked tirelessly in the gym to prepare for the World Championships.
“They put in five or six days a week of training, early-morning sessions and gruelling squad training sessions and it is nice to see all that hard work pay off.
“Also massive thanks to parents and supporters who were with us every step of the way.
“It costs approximately £1,000 for each competitor to attend the World Championships and those costs were helped by our main sponsor CBX Gym and fundraising events throughout the year.
“Each squad member had about half the costs covered and the rest was made up by parents.”
WTKA England’s students compete in points kickboxing, light continuous kickboxing, trad and CMX forms, kata, karate, MauiThai and K1.
The event began with elimination rounds over the first three days with finals on the last day.