Surrey student wins bronze at prestigious international Karate championship

Sophie Baverstock, who’s in Year 5 at Lightwater Village Junior School, was competing at the 11th JSKA World Karate Championships held in the Japanese city of Matsuyama, earlier this month.

The championships brought together almost 750 competitors from over 30 countries, making it one of the largest and most competitive karate events in the world.

Sophie’s third place in both the Sanbon and Kumite classes is a major achievement for the aspiring martial arts competitor.

The tournament was held in the spectacular Ehime Prefectural Budokan, a 5,000 square metre martial arts arena considered one of Japan’s finest. With multiple competition areas running simultaneously and hundreds of athletes and supporters filling the venue, the scale and atmosphere highlighted the world-class level of the championships.

Sophie Baverstock said: “If you told me 3 years ago when I started karate classes that I would be going to the World Championships in Japan, I would have thought you were lying. Here I am 3 years later, I have come third in 2 events at the World Championship. My advice to other people if they are interested in karate, follow your dreams and work hard, because anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Thank you to Sensei Ken and Sensei Jana for helping me to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. Thank you to all my friends for supporting me. Thank you to my family for paying for me to go to Japan and supporting my team so that we could be there. ”

Francesca Hooker, Headteacher, Lightwater Village Junior School, said: “We are so incredibly proud of Sophie, and everyone has been congratulating her on her fantastic achievement. Karate is a sport which requires focus, ability and commitment, all qualities we promote and nurture here at our school, and so Sophie is a wonderful role model for her fellow students.”