On the weekend of 20th November, the first named storm of the season, Angus, wreaked havoc as it tore through much of the South of England.

Further north, in Sheffield another Angus was tearing through the opposition in the last major karate tournament of the year.

The United World Karate English Championships were held at the Ponds Forge international Sports Centre, hosting competitors from all over England, plus a 30-strong invited contingent from Karate Wales.

Ten year old Angus McIver of Edgworth Primary school represented the Amateur Martial Association (AMA) and Tower Shukokai in the under 145cm boys Kumite (sparring) event. Although still only a purple belt, the category was an open grade contest, so many of Angus’ opponents were of black and brown belt grade. Showing his typical unflappable demeanour, Angus was not to be fazed by his more experienced opposition.

Coached by Tower’s Martyn Skipper, Angus found himself in a draw of almost 30 English and Welsh foes. In his first bout, Angus took first blood with an early score but allowed his opponent to take him to a draw. The drawn bout needed to be decided by “encho sen” or sudden death score and cool Angus maintained his composure to win through to the last 16.

Wins in the second and third rounds saw him through to the semi-final. His opponent was Leo Rumalean of English United Karate Federation (EUKF). Typically, Angus scored first but two fast head kicks from the Londoner saw the end to any further progress. In an exciting final, Rumalean lost to his team-mate Joseph Watts.

Nevertheless Angus’ Bronze medal in a major national championships is something he can be proud of.