SEVEN members of the Basingstoke Su-Ha-Ri Karate School and returned with three golds, three silvers and four bronze medals at the

20th WIKF European Championships at Braga in Portugal where it had been held 10 years before.

The seven were part of a 36 strong England team and took on 16 other countries at the event which took place over three days.

Coach/referee/competitor Kevin Crine entered the Tanto Dori (knife defence), pairing up with lifelong inspiration Gerald Taylor, the duo performed set routines.

In a close final against France, they took the gold, with the refs voting 3-2 in their favour.

Lucas Spiers won gold in the 12 to 13 years age group at the World Championships last year, moved up to 14 to 15 yrs.

Spiers made an impressive debut taking silver in the 70kg plus fighting and bronze in the open weight.

Sibi Kumara took his first ever individual gold at an international, in the boys’ 14 to 15 years under 63kg.

Kumara then added a bronze in the open weight.

If that was not enough, 15-year-old Kumara stepped up into the boys’ 16-17yrs team event.

After several hard rounds to reach the final, Kumara fought well to defeat his opponent.

Unfortunately, his two teammates lost, but that earned them an excellent silver.

Tadley’s Lexie Green, who originally was not even going to compete in fighting, just kata, proved it was a good decision to put the pads on, when she stormed through four rounds of the Girls’ 10-11yrs to take the gold.

Similarly, Green stepped up into the 12 to 13 years team event, where she too took the silver.

Terry Brigdale finished the competition off with fourth place in kata and a bronze in the Men’s under 84kg fighting.

Newcomer Mia Lane entered the 14 to 15 years fighting. Lane fought well but was narrowly beaten 5-3 in the first round.

Lane went one better the next day and won a fight in the team event.

The club’s medal tally helped England to reach second on the medal table.

Coach Crine said: “I was pleased to have won myself but even happier to see such great results from everyone else. Basingstoke finished higher than most countries. That’s amazing!”

Su-Ha-Ri Karate School trains at Basingstoke Sports Centre on Fridays, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm and also at the Tadley Swimming Pool on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm.

For more info contact Jon Wicks on 01252 326498 or visit su-ha-ri.co.uk.