WINKLEBURY’S Jim Feighery- Murphy won gold and silver medals at the Wado International Karate Federation European Championships held in Chalkida, near Athens.

In total 22 countries took part in the competition and the 17-year-old Queen’s Mary College student fought in the 16 to 17-year-olds heavyweight individuals and also the 16 to 17 team event.

Feighery-Murphy started in great style in his quest for an individual medal, winning his opening two fights 6-1 and 8-0.

In the final he faced his strongest challenge in Fredblad Ossian from Sweden.

After a well fought struggle resulting in a 0-0 draw, it was left to the five judges to decide the outcome and Feighery-Murphy narrowly lost 3-2 to the Swede.

The Winklebury fighter then joined forces with Jerome Brown and Robert Camp for the team event.

They breezed through the quarter and semi-finals to face Greece in the final.

In a close battle both teams won one fight, drew one and lost one and it was England who emerged champions on the greater total of points from the three fights to take the gold.

England as a team finished second overall in the medal table, with national coach Kevin McAuslan-Crine taking to the podium to collect the trophy for England.

Crine said: “Second is a great result. I’m over the moon with the whole team, especially Jim.

“He only has a couple more competitions in the 16 to 17 category before he makes the giant leap to seniors.

“However, seeing how he has performed this year, I think he is already at the required standard.”

Feighery-Murphy trains at Basingstoke Sports Centre every Friday with Su-Ha-Ri Karate School.

The club is run by Sensei Jon Wicks from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and is open to all levels.

For more details contact Wicks on 01256 326498 or visit su-ha-ri.co.uk