TWO Tiverton Karate Club members have been enjoying a successful time in competitions.

At the Southern England regional championships, held in Reading, Willand’s Nicola Troake won silver for her Kata disciplines which are set combinations of attacking and defensive moves.

And Tiverton’s Shotokan karate assistant instructor, Mark Kinsella, used his fighting skills well in Kumite to claim the bronze medal.

Tiverton’s chief instructor, Sensai Andy Purrington, said: “This has been a busy tournament time and Tiverton’s karate club and associated karate academies is proving strong in competition,with some monumental efforts from its students.

“I’m very impressed with their attitude and their efforts are well rewarded.

“Mark and Nicola both hope to take their next grading at the end of the year, and this prepares them well for the tough examinations.”

The pair had a good warm up at the Devon Karate Championships, held at the Cranford Sports Centre, Exmouth.

Kinsella won some cracking fights to get into the final where he defeated Dartmouth’s Kain Harper to claim gold.

Kinsella used a good combination of punches and followed up with a leg sweep, unbalancing his opponent to drop him to the floor and finish with a body shot to score an ‘ippon’ or full win.

Troake, who is also an instructor at Exeter’s Trinity Karate Academy, also fought very well with strong attitude.

She overpowered the competition from Torbay karate club to reach the final where she lost a close contest.

Purrington said: “Karate is a excellent way to keep active and fit, meeting new friends along the way.

“Competition is a good way to test yourselves, but is only a small part of what karate can offer.

“Anyone interested can contact me on 07970-969632 or visit www.facebook.com/tivertonkarate