A KARATE studio which recently saw four of its young members win world championship medals has set its sights on making Olympians at Japan 2020.

Students of the Karate Dojo, in Ripon, took bronze medals at the recent 9th World Shotokan Karate Championships in Istanbul.

The medallists – all black belts – the youngest of which is 11, live in the Ripon and Northallerton area and have been trained from the age of five by Ady Gray, 6th Dan and a finalist in the National Children’s Coach of the Year competition.

Mr Gray said: "I cannot describe the pride I feel in these young people. They are disciplined, focused, committed and under pressure, show courtesy and respect for competitors with full regard to dojo etiquette.

"Karate is for life, not just for the dojo. We train for character and spirit, as well as skill at The Karate Dojo.

"Since we opened our new studio, above Yorkshire Trading in Ripon, we have gone from strength to strength, thanks to support from the city for more than 20 years.

"Most major karate studios are based in large cities and have a huge pool of potential students."

Contact Ady Gray www.byakko.co.uk.