TAEKWONDO TEAM CLAIM THE MEDALS

RAMSGATE Olympic Taekwondo team have a fist full of medals.

Six of the team attended the UTF Olympic Taekwondo One-to-One competition in London. They retuned with an impressive four golds and three silvers medals.

Katarzyna Grela won gold in the 63kg and below junior section and a silver in the 59kg and below, while her brother Jakub gained gold in the 58kg plus cadet category.

Joseph Mitchell won gold in the 50kg and below cadet section and Magda Jarkiewicz snatched gold in the 67kg and below seniors class.

Ethan Stoke won silver in the 31kg and below children's section while Mateusz Wawryszuk gained a silver in the 40kg and below children's category.

Proud Coach Leszek Grela said: "The whole team has done really well and hopefully we will do even better at the next tournament in July."

To find out more information about Ramsgate Taekwondo phone Leszek on 07778 567355.

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KICKBOXERS SELECTED FOR ENGLAND TEAM

LIVERPOOL Kickboxing Association has had 17 of its members picked for the England Squad fighting in Portugal.

The fighters were chosen for their performance at the recent World Kickboxing Council’s British Championships.

They will now be in training for their bouts in Portugal in October.

Sensei Ian Hollett said: "Their hard work and training  paid off and they gave a great account of themselves.

"But now the real hard work begins, not only preparing physically and mentally to be ready for the World Championships but also raising the funds necessary for all our members to travel to Portugal."

The club has a great record in producing champions and in the last nine years has produced 35 world champions as well as top British and European titles.

The club is now seeking sponsorship to meet the estimated £15,000 it will cost for the LKA fighters to compete in October.

One local firm - Taskers Sports - has already stepped up to the mark and donated a home gym for as a prize in a raffle being organised by the LKA as part of a wider fund-raising effort.

The club has already set up a top line of speakers for a fundraiser. Other events planned include a lift-a-thon where ten club member will attempt to lift more than a full double-decker, and a race night.

The club trains in Holy Name, Mosspitts Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm and Saturday from 4.30pm.

To to find out more information on the club, or to help with fundraising, email:
l.k.a@hotmail.co.uk

Or visit: www.liverpoolkickboxingassociation.webs.com

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WS UPDATE++++NEWS UPDATE++++NEWS UPDATE++++NEWS UPDATE++++NE
DARREN DAY GUILTY FOR CARRYING A KUBOTAN "KEY RING" IN PUBLIC


(Caption): Actor Darren Day found guilty of carrying a kubotan


By Martial News Reporter

DARREN Day Has been found guilty of carrying an offensive weapon after he was found with a kubotan keyring by police.

During the trial, Day said he had carried the kubotan keyring, a 5in-long metal stick given to him by a friend, for 14 years.

The weapon was found when he was arrested by Lothian and Borders Police after his Mercedes hit a lamppost in Manor Place in Edinburgh.

Day, who is well known for dating a string of glamorous women including actress Anna Friel, said he was shocked when he was charged by police, and had told them the item was not an offensive weapon.

But during the trial, the sheriff was told by two martial arts experts from Lothian and Borders Police that the kubotan was designed in the 1970s for use by the Los Angeles Police as a self-defence weapon and in a worst case scenario could be used to kill someone.

Fiscal depute Neil Allan, prosecuting, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court the entertainer had been arrested after falling out of the Mercedes, which was owned by his wife, close to the flat he was renting in the city.

Mr Allan said: "At 3.30am the sound of a collision was heard by a lady who lives in Manor Place, Edinburgh.

"She looked out of her window and saw a car approximately 90 degrees off its proper course.

"She heard attempts being made to start the vehicle and she saw a man open the bonnet and eventually after he returned to the vehicle the engine was started and it was driven away.

"The lady alerted the police who found a lamppost had been knocked over and there were vehicle parts including two fog lights lying on the road."

Police spotted the badly damaged vehicle 15 minutes later and followed it to Balfour Street.

Distressing news

Mr Allan added: "The driver who turned out to be the accused fell out of the vehicle, staggered along the pavement into the hands of the police."

Day, of Cudworth, South Yorkshire, admitted the amount of alcohol in his breath was 58mg per 100ml. The legal limit is 35mg.

His arrest on 18 December last year followed an 18-month disqualification for drink-driving in Cardiff in 2008.

Defence agent Bobby Frazer said Day had driven to George Street after receiving distressing news from his wife, with the intention of having one drink before going home.

Mr Frazer said: "I understand he was recognised after parking his car and there was not an altercation but some words were expressed towards him and as a result of that I understand he had three Jack Daniels.

"On leaving the establishment he was concerned he would not be able to get a taxi and did not want to walk back because he was concerned there might be another incident."

Speaking outside court, Day said: "I'm very relieved it's over. I am deeply sorry and ashamed of what's happened, especially for my family.

"I'm just very keen to move on now with my career and my life and leave it behind me."

Pleas of not guilty to careless driving, crashing into a lamppost, failing to report an accident to police and not co-operating with an initial breath test were accepted by the Crown.