“They did absolutely fantastic – every single one of them came away with a medal”

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Seven kickboxing and karate students from Caerphilly have represented Wales in the WKU World Championships – winning 21 medals between them.

The WKU World Championships was held in Calgary, Canada, between October 16 and October 22, and included various fighting disciplines.

More than 70 countries and nearly 500 athletes took part in the competition alongside the seven Caerphilly students.

The group won a total of 21 medals; ten gold, six silver, and five bronze.

WCKA member Sam Coakley won five of those medals – winning four golds and one silver at the competition.

Other winners include:

• Ruby Carter – three golds;
• Jac Watkins – one gold, two silvers;
• Reuben West – one gold, two silvers;
• Oskar Watkins – one gold, two bronzes;
• Emir Isik – one silver, two bronzes;
• Llewellyn Baylis – one bronze.

These students train in various fighting categories, including kickboxing, light contact, full contact, and kumite at the WCKA club, which is based at Trecenydd Community Centre. 

They were led by coach Steve Bevan, who was unable to accompany the students to Canada because he is recovering from cancer. Bevan said: “They found it difficult this year since I was unable to be there.”

But he added: “They did absolutely fantastic – every single one of them came away with a medal.”

The students’ ages range from eight to 18. All of the students had competed in this previous world championships, apart from eight-year-old Emir who was making his world championship debut. 

Bevan is hoping to expand on the club’s participation in the championships in the upcoming year, and is expecting to join them. 

He continued: “We’re looking forward to next year and hoping to take a larger team. I should have a clean bill of health.”

The team is currently preparing for their next competition, which is being held in Watford in January.

“We’re starting on the road to next year’s competition,” Bevan said.