Phillips-Fit

Reading Evening Post - Friday 2nd November 2005:

Whitley karate ace Joshua Longmate upset the odds to win gold in the UK Championships at Crystal Palace last weekend.

The 16-year-old was one of 10 fighters in the 16-20 years group for brown, black and black Dan belts, and despite being the joint lowest ranked, came through three fights to win gold in a thrilling sudden-death finish.

The competition was organised on a points basis and Longmate got off to an excellent start when he won his first contest without dropping a single point.

The Ryeish Green pupil lost only half a point in his next fight to a Dan fighter, before coming through a tie-breaker in his third and final fight to claim gold.

Longmate, who trains with GKR Karate at Christ the King Church on Northumberland Avenue, is still a year and a half away from his black belt despite his success, and he was quite quick to thank Sensei John Jarvis for his help in winning the title.

Ryan says "Josh has been training with me since July 2005 during which time we have been working on his speed, power and agility which has improved no end. Josh's willingness to learn new skills, train hard and go that extra mile is what makes him a British Champion today! Coupled with winning gold at the UK Championships, Josh has also just passed his Karate Instructor course both being fantastic achievements. I am greatly looking forward to training with Josh into the new year and working with him to achieve high standards at an international level"