Denis Koltsov (4th dan black belt instructor at Skerton Karate Club) was representing England in several events at the contest in Lincoln.

Kofukan International competitions are organised in different countries every year.

Last year this competition was held in Durban in South Africa, where Koltsov won three medals, one of which was gold for his performance in Senior Male Kata (karate form).

It was a challenge to keep his Kata leadership this year too.

In the third round, Koltsov came up against a very experienced competitor from Portugal who did a very impressive Kata, but Denis won that round three votes to two and went into a final.

He met his team partner Garfield Carrot in the final and after wishing each other best of luck, the competitors lined up and performed their best.

Both competitors had a great performance but Koltsov won the final round 5-0 sending him to the podium. Overall England got both gold and silver to the delight of their coach.

The competition went on with a team Kumite (fighting). This is an event where five people from one team fight (one by one) the other team. At the end the victories are counted.

England team sailed through the first round against Sweden.

The second round was against last year's winners South Africa.

The fights were really tight and England and South Africa were on an equal number of wins until the last fight of Koltsov (England) and Andre' De Oliveira (South Africa).

To the delight of the team Koltsov won that fight, securing English entry to the final where they were unfortunately beaten by a very strong Russian team.

Denis Koltsov is a 4th dan black belt with over 19 years of practice in Shito-ryu Karate-do.

He is affiliated to Kofukan association and trains under the instruction of Sensei K. Tomiyama.

Koltsov opened his own dojo (karate club) in Skerton last year and is teaching children and adults. For more information see www.kofukan.info/lancaster.

He is also coaching a very successful Lancaster University team and teaching karate in local schools. For more information please contact him by email lancaster@kofukan.info.