TEAM spirit paid dividends as Bishopthorpe Karate Club brought home four medals from the WIKF British National Championships in Leicestershire.

The York club claimed three silver medals and one bronze gong under the leadership of Sensei Brian Williams.

Joseph Curtis made his debut in the kata and the ten-year-old won silver in the ten to 15-year-old age category, having just missed out against a 15-year-old opponent.

Angus Gibby, eight, produced an excellent second kata to bag a deserved silver medal, while 13-year-olds Alex Gibby and Ian Goodwin narrowly missed out on the medals.

Dean Cook, 41, then took silver in the veterans’ class before teaming up with Goodwin and Angus Gibby to compete in the team kata, where they competed well but were unable to gain a medal.

Bishopthorpe’s only medal in the kumite competitions was won by Cook, who fought well to add a bronze to the tally.

Alex Gibby was unlucky not to get a medal after some superb fighting, while Goodwin fought strongly.

Sensei Williams was delighted with his members’ performances.

“Every competition is a learning experience, but the students put up a very good show,” he said.

“There’s a real team spirit in our club, with other students doing some teaching to let me prepare the competitors.

“The medals are a reflection of hard work on everyone’s part.”

Anyone interested in joining the club should phone club secretary Lesley Edwards on 01904 700380.

The club trains at St Andrew’s Church hall on Monday and Thursday evenings. Students can start training from the age of eight, and adult starters are also welcome.