TWO KARATE fighters from Basingstoke enjoyed medal success at the European Championships in Nicosia, Cyprus.

David Ward picked up gold and a silver medal, while club instructor at Basingstoke’s Su-Ha-Ri School and England coach Kevin McAuslan-Crine won a silver and two bronzes.

The pair were part of a seven strong England team at the 14th WIKF (Wado International Karate Federation) European championships.

In total 16 counties took part and the England team topped the medal table with 15 golds.

Ward, competing in his second international, made up for missing out on a medal at the World Championships.

He battled through five rounds in 34 degree heat to take a silver in the individual boys’ 12-13yrs category and obliterated his opponents in the three-man England team to win a well deserved gold.

McAuslan-Crine took a bronze in both his weight category and in the open weight.

He then competed in the three-man team event.

He won all his fights, even beating the world champion 12-4 in the semi-finals, helping his team to the final, where they took silver – missing out on the gold by just two points.

Talking after the event, McAuslan-Crine said, “I am pleased to have taken three medals, as I had been ill leading up to the competition and was debating entering, but to see my students do so well is even better. They’ve all worked so hard.

“For David to overcome the nerves and pressure at that age is incredible. I was so proud to see him win his last team fight 7-1 to take the gold”

The Su-Ha-Ri Karate School train at Brighton Hill Community College on Tuesday (4pm to 5pm), Tadley Swimming Pool on Wednesday (6pm to 9pm) and the Basingstoke Sports Centre on Friday (6.30pm-7.30pm).