Karate kid off to hard-hitting start

Tobias, who only took up the martial art in August, was beaten by just two among a line-up comprising more than 60 competitors in the junior red belt category (ages 7-16) of the British Kyokushinkai Karate National Kata Championship in Reading.

"I didn't expect him to get anywhere," said father Mark of his son's prospects in an event where participants are required to demonstrate a myriad of stipulated moves. "But even his instructor (sensei Christian Seal, who won the Belgium International Open and British Open last year) says he's a natural and he's determined as well."

Tobias, who also plays football for Glenco Yellow under-8s, belongs to the same Hastings & Bexhill Kyokushinkai Karate Club that picked up another third place in the junior brown belt team event via England junior internationals Rebecca Woods and Sami Mehio plus Chris Booth.

The Bexhill Youth and Community Centre-based club always welcomes new members. Training sessions take place on Wednesday and Friday nights. Juniors enjoy use of the facilities from 6.30-8pm and the seniors follow from 8-10pm.