A STUDENT who took up karate to give her self-confidence a kick has now been selected to fight for her country.

Northallerton College student Rebecca Boakes will travel with the England squad to Nagoya, Japan, in August, to compete in the Wadokai world championships.

The 16-year-old only took up karate four years ago to boost her self-confidence in the face of playground bullies at a previous school.

Now a black belt, she has twice represented her country securing two silvers at the European Open in Sweden and four silvers in the European Championships staged in Reading.

She trains with the England squad every month and is hoping to be selected for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

“I had trouble with bullies at primary school and my mum suggested taking up karate to help my self-confidence,” said Rebecca.

“I liked it from the start and had only been doing it a few weeks when I got my first taste of competition.

“Going to Japan is very exciting and a bit daunting. It is unbelievable to think that I have gone from a shy girl to someone competing to be world champion.”