EIGHT youngsters from Blackpool Budokan Martial Arts Academy had a successful day at the WKA professional league tournament in Manchester. The tournament attracts the best of Britain's competitors and provides their official British ranking in Sport Karate and Forms, or pre-set routines.

Johnny Campbell (10) from Preesall took a silver in the Under-30-Kilo catagory followed in third place by Jordan Smith (11) from Thornton. Jordan also took gold in the Weapons catagory.

Reece Thomas (9) from Marton, took silver in the Under-35-Kilo slot and schoolmate Ben Whyte (10) also from Marton, took bronze.

In the Under-55-Kilo catagory, Sam Higgins (13) from Marton, finally realised his potential to take gold with some flair.

Plus 60 Kilo fighter Dale Noble (16) from Bispham, again beat David Baldwin, from Merseyside, to take another gold in an unbeaten run that has lasted a year.

The girls joined the medal hunt with Jemma Fisher (15) from Bispham, taking bronze in the Under-55 Kilo category and Patricia Shaw (16), from South Shore, took a well-deserved silver at Plus-60-Kilo level.

The next challenge for the boys comes in the World Championships in Vienna in five weeks time.