JOE Kellaway has been named as Kemnal Technology College’s sportsman of the term for his successful karate exploits.
The 13-year-old took up karate at the age of six and has competed in numerous competitions in the past seven years.
One of the many highlights in his career was representing WIKF England in the European championships, which were held in Cyprus last year.
Kellaway won two gold medals at the event, one in the individual discipline and another in the team category.
The Year 8 pupil admitted he was very pleased in winning an individual gold, but the team gold was also special because he was fighting with others.
Although only 13, Kellaway is currently attending training as an invited athlete for the EKF England national squad, where he hopes to be selected in the England A 14 to 15 U57kg category.
This year Kellaway has become the southern regional 12 to 13 O45kg champion, UK open champion, AMA open weight champion and an English national 14 to 15 U57kg bronze medallist.
He is inspired by Ben Coward, his friend and trainer, and also by Wayne Otto, nine-times world champion and England coach.
As a result of Kellaway’s success, the school is looking into starting an after school karate club and the star pupil says his long term goal is to represent Great Britain on the world stage.
He also attends football, rugby and cricket clubs after school and played in goal for the Kemnal football team which won the Bromley Schools Cup last year.
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