Boys are ko’d

It was a disappointing time for two of the country s top junior karate competitors at the English Senior Championship in Sheffield. The local pair were Gareth Hains, competing for the first time at senior level, of Sandy Upper School and Jordan Aisbett fr

It was a disappointing time for two of the country's top junior karate competitors at the English Senior Championship in Sheffield.

The local pair were Gareth Hains, competing for the first time at senior level, of Sandy Upper School and Jordan Aisbett from Stratton.

Due to an administrative mistake, the boys travelled up to Sheffield only to be informed they had not been entered in the event.

At one point the favourites for both mixed and male team looked as is they would be unable to compete.

Eventually they were allowed in after the forms had been found but it was too late to take to the mat for the mixed team.

As they entered the arena they were called to the mat to start the men's team event.

It shows their level of competitiveness that they still claimed bronze despite all the problems.

It did however affect their individual performances as neither performed at the levels of recent events.

Gareth is sponsored by the Viceroy of India and Fryday's chip shop and both boys are supported by Mid Beds District Council.

The pair had put in a lot of training for the event and were travelling to Hackney in London four times a week for the past six weeks to prepare for the challenge.

Gareth now travels to Glasgow to compete in the European Grand Prix in the third event having already won silver in Italy and bronze at the British event.

The boys travel to Frankfurt for the German Open at the end of the month.