FOR the first time ever, a Cheshire Martial Arts Centre has won two gold medals at a world championship.

Beamont Collegiate Academy student Grace Barnett won two categories at the WUKF World Karate Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia – one of four members of the Evans House-based club to win gold medals.

The 13-year-old won the female Mini Cadets Shito-Ryu Kata and Shobu Sandon Kumite (fighting) categories in her age group.

Barnett accounted for two of the five gold medals won by the CMAC team who were made up the Shukokai Shitoryu Karate Alliance (SSKA) England squad in Slovakia.

Rio Johnson, 15, was another winner in the 15-17 years Shobu Ippon Kumite while he also picked up bronze in the 14-15 years Black Belt Kata.

There was a 18-20 years Black Belt Rengokai Kata gold medal for 19-year-old Ben Hutson-Redfern while Oliver Smith, 17, won the 16-17 years Other Styles Kata competition.

Aside from the medal winners, there were other stand-out displays from the team led by CMAC chief instructor Paul Graham.

Hannah Amiri, 17, and Jess Ryan, 12, narrowly missed out on medals while Bethany Daly, 15, and 12-year-old Jake Daley also competed.

Cheshire Martial Arts Centres are based in Evans House and can be contacted on 07831 418631.