Representing his country on world stage

A Year 7 pupil has been selected to compete for Great Britain at a world karate championships event.

Twelve-year-old Joshua Han travelled to Novi Sad in Serbia to represent his country at the 21^st Shotokan Karate Do United Nations (SKDUN) World Championships. Shotokan is one of four styles of karate recognised by the World Karate Federation.

The championship is open to individuals and competitors from age ten to veterans (age 50+); Joshua competed in the age 12-13 (under 35 kg) class, both as an individual and in the team event.

He took up the sport when he was just seven but has been studying it seriously for the last two-and-a-half years. He trains at the Willesden Sports Centre three or four times a week and competes regularly in competitions in the UK.

SKDUN describes itself as “a non-political organisation working for and promoting the good practice, principles and ideals of Shotokan Karate through the medium of international competition, technical instruction, international grading examinations and education for instructors, trainers and students”.