First national titles for the Shukokai Karate Academy in Maidstone

A Maidstone karate club have won their first national titles.

Jake Worton and Millie Knight - a four-time Paralympic medallist in skiing - claimed gold for the Shukokai Karate Academy at the National Championships in Sheffield.

The pair (right) will now compete for England at the Commonwealth Karate Championships in Birmingham next month.

Clubmates Sam Purfit and Nathaniel Frimston added bronze medals on a successful weekend for SKA, who train at various venues across Maidstone.

Worton, 15, took gold in the +70kg male cadet kumite (fighting) event, beating a current England international en route, and adding to his British Championships silver in March.

In a tough final, a head kick for three points gave him the lead and a spinning head kick in the final seconds secured SKA’s first gold since their formation in 2018.

Knight, 23, added the club’s second national title in the visually impaired female para kata section.

Purfit won bronze in Worton’s category, while Frimston, of Downswood, finished third in the -70kg class.

Chief instructors Sensei Chris Simpson and Sensei Katie Simpson said: “It is a joy to see our students reaching such a high level.

“They all work so hard and Jake and Millie achieving gold makes history for our association and gives all our members the knowledge that with lots of hard work, determination and effort, it can be done.”

Worton has also been picked to represent the south east regional kumite team in Luxembourg in September, along with Harishan Pirapakaran.

Anyone interested in joining SKA should email kentkarate@gmail.com or see shukokaikarateacademy.com for details. Alternatively, call Chris on 07801 639052.