Martial artists strike gold at world championships

The Sherburn-in-Elmet-based team won over 130 medals at a major competition in Frankfurt

A martial arts team whose members range from seven to 53 years old have been praised by their coach after winning over 130 medals at an international competition.

Members of Compass Martial Arts in North Yorkshire brought home a total of 134 medals - 48 gold, 51 silver and 35 bronze - from the recent International Combat Organisation (ICO) World Combat Championships in Frankfurt, Germany.

Team coach David Lazenby, 53, who currently holds seven black belts, said the success felt like a reward for his dedication to the school in Sherburn-in-Elmet, which he first set up nearly a decade ago.

Mr Lazenby said: "It was my biggest competition to date and I think we did all right."

The ICO competition for amateur athletes is held annually and includes events such as karate, kick boxing and tai chi.

Team coach David Lazenby holds seven black belts, despite starting martial arts later on in life

Mr Lazenby said since setting up the martial arts school eight years ago, he had particularly been "inspired every single step of the way" by the children who took part in classes.

"Every single day I have a class and every day is like a school day, but it's like the best day," he said.

"I teach 53 classes a week over six days and you don’t feel like you’re going to work. It’s just the best job."

Mr Lazenby said he had set out to teach the children attending the school respect, discipline, humility and kindness, and he was "learning and growing" all the time.

Emily and Emma got involved with classes after being inspired by their children

Mums Emily, 36, and Emma, 42, whose children were members of the school among those taking part in the contest in Frankfurt, said the trip had been an adventure.

Emily said: “It was pure camaraderie. It was a long way and it’s a long journey and the ferry was rough, but the kids just loved being together.

"They’re like a little family. There was no negativity at all. There were no squabbles. They are just a great bunch of kids."

She added: “The confidence my son’s got from coming here, and all the friends, you wouldn’t believe.

“You don’t expect it from the little Saturday morning session he used to do. Now we’re going to Germany and all these competitions. It’s brilliant."

Iona broke her finger two weeks before the competition - but still went on to win gold

Iona, 10, won a gold medal despite breaking her finger only two weeks before the ICO competition during a practice session.

She won gold in the extreme musical weapon forms, while also coming fifth in the creative forms competition and 10th in the traditional forms.

She said her injured digit did not deter her from competing, but she had to make some changes such as altering routines and entering different categories.

The Compass Martial Arts team competed at the ICO championships as part of the England team, which topped the final leader board with 160 golds, 140 silvers and 90 bronzes.

Mr Lazenby praised all the members of the Compass team, of all ages, who took part in the competition, concluding: "We did really, really good."

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