THE fight goes on for teenage karate ace Jerome Barlow despite suffering a disqualification on his international debut.

The 14-year-old Kenshinkan Karate Club member paid the price for inexperience at the JKA European Championships in Beek, Holland.

Competing in the 14 to 15-year-old kumite (fighting) category, Barlow fought aggressively and totally overawed his opponent, downing him three times.

However, the youngster managed to catch his foe too hard in the face and was disqualified.

Despite that setback, Barlow said: “The experience of becoming a JKA England junior international and being picked to compete in Holland was a dream come true.

“I hope now that I have got the first one out of the way I can start to push hard to pick up medals at future events.”

Ian Tate, Kenshinkan chief instructor, said: “These are exciting times at the club, with no less than three JKA England internationals in our ranks.

“The effort that Jerome has put in over the last few years has paid off and I expect bigger and better things of him in the future.”

Anyone interested in joining Kenshinkan Karate Club should phone Tate on 07946 472805 or visit the www.yorkkarateclub.com website.