IMOGEN Skipper may have gone missing in action at the recent WUKF World Junior Karate Championships but she made up for it by winning gold at the UK Open.

The 16-year-old from Darwen was selected for the England team for the World Championships in Poland but suffered the disappointment of being an unused reserve for the national ‘B’ team.

But Skipper, who is a member of Tower Shukokai Karate Club in Edgworth, took her frustrations out on her opponents at the UK Open Open at the Birchwood Tennis Centre in Warrington.

She took part in the both the cadet and senior competitions despite still being a few weeks off her 17th birthday.

The QEGS sixth former entered the adult female kumite (fighting) event.

Despite a spirited battle, she was unable to defeat her older opponent in their first round encounter - but she did manage a few useful scores, including one Ippon (full point) score.

But it served as a useful warm-up for the Cadet event where Imogen was on blistering form, easily cruising her way to the final, conceding just one point in the eliminations.

In the final, Imogen won gold with a four points to zero win, including another ippon.

Imogen returned from Poland with a silver medal despite not taking part after the England ‘B’ team finished as runners-up.

But this was the medal that mattered.

“The medal was scant consolation, so soon as she returned home she was back in training,” said dad and coach Martyn who is chief instructor at Tower Shukokai

“Imogen's confidence took a knock after the disappointment of Poland, but this win shows she still has the skill, and the will, to succeed."

Imogen's next outing is on at the North East Open in Stockton-on-Tees on Sunday