JOANNE Phelan says her extra efforts are paying off as she reflects on winning a European Championships gold medal for the second successive year.

The Warrington 24-year-old defeated the reigning champion in a closely-fought final to secure first place in shito-ryu kata (patterned forms) at the WUKF event in Romania.

She then went on to claim bronze in the open kata event.

The Whittle Hall competitor, who represents the SSK Karate club at Great Sankey Leisure Centre, secured the top prize in the senior female kata event at last year’s competition.

“After missing out on a medal at the senior European Championships in 2014, I’ve been supported by LiveWire’s talented athlete programme which has helped me to increase my training hours, and add further strength and conditioning work to my training,” she said.

Clubmate Daniel Trow, 9, won a silver medal in kata in the children’s category, while Annabel Mooney achieved sixth place in the 15 to 17 years category.

After a strong start on day one in the 15-17 years open kata and kumite categories Jennie Trow picked up an injury and withdrew.

Rebecca Cotterill, 21, competing in her first European Championships after a serious knee injury ruled her out previously, claimed fourth in the senior other-styles kata.

The club's international referee, Paula Trow, was promoted to continental level at the conclusion of the championships.

Coach Steve Nelson said: “I’m very proud of the squad’s performances as a whole.

"They have trained long hours every week to get where they are today, and they thoroughly deserve every bit of success and recognition they receive.

“A special mention has to go to Joanne Phelan, who since placing fifth in 2014 has been a woman on a mission – training hard to claim the senior European title this year.”