COWDENBEATH fighter Elize Bauld produced a stunning performance to be crowned British Karate Federation champion.
The rising star travelled to Penrith on January 23 to fight for Scotland in a home nations ‘Grand Slam Challenge’ event.
The competition, organised by the British Karate Federation (BKF), was held to promote and develop young fighters from across the UK to be able to compete at future world championships and potentially the Olympic Games.
Each of the four home nations selected their four best fighters at each weight category and then had them compete against each other to determine the overall champion.
Elize, fighting at 61kg, won all four of her fights comfortably, losing no points and winning with a range of, “excellent punching and kicking techniques” to be come the 2023 BKF champion.
The event then organised the countries into fighting teams, comprising of three fighters with Cowdenbeath Karate Club’s Elize fighting at number one for Scotland.
Once again, Elize won all her fights by high margins and also not losing a single point over the whole day as Scotland were crowned the team champions for 2023.
The youngster has been selected for Scotland to fight in Cyprus later this week in the European Karate Federation’s Junior championship, held in Larnaca between Friday and Sunday.
One of Elize’s coaches, Ben Smith, commented: “Another top level performance form Elize at this high-end event and valuable experience gained over the course of the weekend.
“She does put the work in though, and her work ethic is superb to see.
“She is at every club and national training session and also cross-trains in other disciplines and also with the coaching team here in-between the club class times.
“We currently have a number of top level fighters at the club and they and now Elize provides guidance and inspiration to the younger students who are with us.
“The club are planning a trip to Ireland and also to Poland next month where we will be taking a group across to broader their individual experience at karate events abroad.
“This is part of the club’s training strategy to give students the opportunity to be the best they can be.
“Although we are a sports-driven club but we also teach traditional karate for all with no compulsion to compete at this and is for all ages and abilities.”
Cowdenbeath Karate Club as part of the SKGB and WKF groups the only recognised affiliations that Sports Scotland endorses.
The club runs classes most nights for all ages and abilities and currently has some spaces left for anyone wanting to join. Follow the Cowdenbeath Karate Facebook page for contact details regarding Cowdenbeath Martial Arts Centre.
