LOCAL youngsters are the envy of the karate world after combining to produce England’s best result at the Under-21 Championships in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Karate kids from Epping, North Weald and Chingford came away with a glut of medals from the prestigious championships, contributing half of the national team’s total of 14 medals.

Among the star performers were Charlie Collins and Shauna Carroll, who collected three medals each.

Charlie, from North Weald, claimed an individual gold in the male cadets’ Shobu Sanbon over 80kg event and a bronze medal in the team Shito Ryu Kata event, with Jack Downton. He also landed a team gold alongside Epping resident Adam Carrington in the Shobu Sanbon event.

The medal tally was an impressive step up from winning European silver, which he managed last year.

Shauna, of Woodford, the reigning European female cadet champion over 60kg, bagged a silver medal in her individual event, the Shobu Sanbon, as well as two team golds, including the female cadet rotation competition.

Chingford competitor Jack Powell was also a key member of the squad.

The youngsters, who all train at Woodford and North Weald, are coached by Sensei Ian Cuthbert 6th Dan. And he was delighted with his students’ efforts in difficult conditions.

“Full credit to everyone for their professional approach, especially with the three team finals we had.

“If we had won one of the three team finals that we reached I would have been happy, but to win all three is a remarkable achievement.”

England finished the event with six golds, two silvers and six bronze medals.

Anyone interested in taking up karate can call Ian on 07802 481187.