Two youngsters have won numerous awards during their first appearance at a worldwide martial arts contest.

14-year-old Angelo Christofi from Loughton and 12-year-old Alexander Patel from Buckhurst Hill both took home medals and trophies on behalf of Loughton Wado-Kai Karate Club.

Both won bronze for in the Pairs Kata and silver for Mr Patel and a gold for Mr Christofi in their individual age category.

The duo was entered into the 2019 International Wado-Kai Kata Competition hosted by England Wado-Kai Karate-Do in Aldershot, Hampshire, by their instructor and Sensei, Jason Walton.

Mr Walton said: “I am over the moon with their performance, I was just happy they had been accepted to enter the competition.

“They both work very hard and have a high attendance, I put them forward because I believed they were ready to handle such a big event.”

Both youngsters had been in training since every week since January practicing their kata’s, a sequence of karate moves, at home and with additional practice.

Around 70 Junior, Cadet and Adult students from across the world, including Luxembourg, Austria and Hungary took part in the international event.

Sensei Walton, who has been running Wado-Kai Karate Club for four years, was also one of the 12 International Wado-Kai Judges.

“I sadly didn’t get to watch the boys perform as I was judging another category, he explained. “They try to make sure everyone does not judge their own students, so I had wait to see the scores at the end of the day.

“This was also the first time Loughton Wado-Kai Karate Club have ever competed, so it was a first for both the students and the club.”

The boys awards were presented to them by Sensei Sir Brian Hayes, President of England Wado-Kai Karate-Do Renmei.

Loughton Wado-Kai Karate Club is open students from age 6 years and runs every Wednesday from 6.30pm-7.30pm at Roding Valley High School in the Drama Hut.

Visit www.loughtonwadokai.co.uk for more details.