'Karate Kid’ championship dreams in jeopardy

Mayon, 14, trains with Leeds Shotokan Karate Club

A 14-year-old boy has had his karate championship dreams “jeopardised” due to a pending citizenship application.

Black belt Mayon, from Barnsley, was selected to represent England in the European Shotokan Karate-do Association European Championships.

Despite being born in the UK, he is currently still registered as an asylum seeker, his mother Nilupuli Samarasinghe said.

Even with the bureaucratic obstacle, Mayon remained hopeful, saying: “Nothing’s going to stop me.”

Mayon’s parents, who are from Sri Lanka, applied for his citizenship in 2020 and are awaiting a response from the Home Office.

Mayon was inspired by his mother, who is also a black belt and who he watched train from the age of three.

He said: “Karate is the only thing that I love.

"The one thing stopping me is the one thing I can’t control - the passport situation. It really hurts.”

His parents moved from Sri Lanka to the UK more than 20 years ago as asylum seekers. It means even though he was born in the UK, Mayon still had to apply for citizenship, which they did for the second time in 2020.

They said without citizenship Mayon would be unable to take part in the championships which are taking place on 22 November in Portugal.

The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School student said: “Even though everyone calls me the ‘karate kid’ it’s a bit of a shame that I can’t go because all I’ve wanted is this.

“But I’m going to do everything I can.

"When I get my citizenship and passport, I’m going to win for my mum and dad.”

The coach for the Karate Union of Great Britain England national squad, which had selected him, said the situation was “disappointing”.

Sensei Frank Brennan said: “I was even more disappointed and shocked to discover that his application was made four years ago.

“This situation is now jeopardising his attendance at the European championship and the opportunity to represent his country.”

'Not fair'

Mayon’s family said they had repeatedly asked the Home Office for updates on the progress of their son's application but were told it was “ongoing”.

Ms Samarasinghe said “I’m disappointed, every morning Mayon asks me if I’ve heard anything from the Home Office.

“I feel really down, because I’m really worried about my son now. It’s not fair on him."

According to the Home Office website, applicants can expect a decision within six months but some can take longer.

The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment.

While he waits for news, Mayon continues to train.

His instructor Ryan Tucker, from Leeds Shotokan Karate Club, said the youngster's talent stood out from a young age.

“Even back then, it wasn’t normal to see a child with the attitude and spirit which some adults never quite get to," he said.

“The attitude that he’s shown all his life - as long as long as he keeps that determination, that fight, the opportunities will come and I have no doubt about that."

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