Six-year-old Mark Craven, from Whitworth, has become the youngest member of his club to be selected to represent his country at the World Traditional Karate Kickboxing Association world championships, taking place in Italy.
A keen karate kid has been selected to represent England in a world championship event.
Six-year-old Mark Craven, from Whitworth, has become the youngest member of his club to be selected to represent his country at the World Traditional Karate Kickboxing Association world championships, taking place in Italy.
Mark has been training at the Dojo Karate Centre, in Rochdale, since the age of three and has won local, regional and national titles at both kata and kumite disciplines.
Mark said he was very excited about his visit to Italy.
He said: “I love karate and train hard and practice. I like to win so I’ll do my best in Italy.”
A pupil at Tonacliffe Primary School, in Whitworth, Mark has won the Best of British title for two years running, beating much older competitors.
He also came 1st in the Yorkshire Open, UK All Styles and National All Styles competitions, making him the Yorkshire Champion and Northern Champion for Under 8s.
Proud mum Chelsea Craven said the whole family are delighted at Mark’s success and will be cheering him on at the competition.
She said: “Me and his dad were so proud when we received the letter informing us he’d been selected.
“His karate club told us he would be chosen due to the titles he’d won but, because of his age, we didn’t think he would.”
Chelsea has been fundraising to help Mark attend the world championships later this year.
Earlier this month the family organised a fundraising quiz night at the Catholic Club, in Rochdale.
The event was kindly sponsored by local firms ER Williams and Cheapest New Beds in Town.
To sponsor Mark in his quest to come out on top at the world championships, email Chelsea at: chelseadominique@me.com