A MARTIAL arts champion is punching high to make his country and hometown proud.

Muhammad Abu-Bakr Farooq has returned from the World Martial Arts Games with three shiny medals, including gold in the weapons forms category.

The eight-year-old star represented Team GB in the three-day competition, going up against the best in his age group — seven to 10-year-olds — from across the globe.

Abu-Bakr said: "I am still in shock with my recent achievements.

"I want to really thank my teacher Irfan Ansari for the support and encouragement and parents who give up their time to take me to my classes."

Abu-Bakr, who is a brother to four older sisters, has been training at Rochdale-based Dojo Karate Centre for just over two years after one of his siblings spotted a leaflet about classes.

He was one of 16 students who attended from the centre, who train under chief instructor Irfan Ansari, and who collectively brought back 45 medals.

Mum Ummrana Farooq, of Spinney Drive, Limefield, said: "We were absolutely overwhelmed with his success.

"I'm really proud of him. He has exceeded our expectations.

"His trainer deserves credit because he has put in so much work and effort to build the young peoples' confidence and enable them to compete.

"We are very proud that Abu-Bakr represented not only Team GB but his club and his home town."

He has received support from St Thomas's Church of England Primary School, where he is a pupil, who held a non-school uniform day to raise money for equipment, registration fees, accommodation and travel costs for the competition.

Abu-Bakr went up against athletes from 20 countries, before claiming gold in the weapons forms category, silver in the Kumite category, and bronze in the self defence category.

Mr Ansari said: "The standard of performers was very high at this year's World Championships. Our athletes performed brilliantly on and off the mats as ambassadors for their families, the towns of Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Middleton and Great Britain.

"Winning the gold medal has officially given Abu-Bakr the title as a World Champion for Martial Arts."

The centre teaches pupils the importance of focus and discipline as well as fitness. Further skills include using weapons, grappling, kickboxing, kata, self defence and jujitsu.

Abu-Bakr proved his talent at the Team GB qualifiers, held in Norwich in May this year. His silver medal secured his place at the world competition in Egham, London, between October 25-27.

His mum, a parent governor at St Thomas's, who is hoping to run as Labour candidate for East ward in the May 2020 elections, added: "As mum I thought it was really important to get my son involved in an activity to benefit his health, mind and physically, because he was glued to his computer games.

"I recommend parents get children active in any kind of sport. I am passionate to work with the community to encourage daily activities for all generations."