TOP York martial arts exponent Liam O'Grady is taking on the might of Europe next month.

He has been selected to represent the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) in the forthcoming European Shotokan Karate Championships in Sunderland on December 6 and 7.

O'Grady (pictured), 22, a 2nd Dan, is squad manager and assistant instructor at the York Kenshinkan Karate Club.

O'Grady, a former Huntington School pupil and sports science student at York College, took up karate in 1989 and trained at the York Budokan until 1997.

In 1999, and under the guidance of instructor Rob McCartney, O'Grady was selected for the junior KUGB national squad.

His elevation to national prominence confirmed, O'Grady is noted for his very sharp and powerful 'Gyaku Tsuki' or reverse punch which, coupled with his natural timing, has brought him many victories.

Updated: 09:40 Saturday, November 29, 2003