WHITTLE Hall’s Joanne Phelan is celebrating after being crowned a European karate champion.

The 23-year-old competed in the European Championships in Timisoara, Romania, representing the International Karate Union Scotland and beating off strong competition from across the continent.

Phelan’s main competition came from the likes of Italy and Poland, who dominated the competition, but she came through in the senior female kata event for her first senior medal.

Her win was the only golden gong Scotland managed in the IKU tournament as they finished 12th in the medal table after adding three bronzes.

Phelan has had previous European success after her first gold came in the under 21s category of the 2013 championships in Sheffield.

She has been supported by the Livewire programme for talented athletes since her 2013 win and pointed out she has a lot of people to thank for her success.

“I’m so happy to achieve a medal at a senior championships, let alone gold,” said Phelan.

“I’d like to thank my coach, Steve Nelson, and the Livewire programme for supporting me.”

Nelson was also bursting with pride for his pupil, who he has been training at Great Sankey Leisure Centre for 15 years.

“I’m really proud of Jo and her performance,” he said.

“She always works hard and it shows in her consistent results.”