Ashford Karate Jutsu Kai have not one - but three British champions.

The club competed at the 46th BKK British & European Open at K2 Leisure Centre, Crawley - an event featuring more than 500 fighters from 24 countries, including the USA, Canada and Switzerland, with 52 clubs participating.

Ashford Karate Jutsu Kai entered 11 fighters - 10 in the British Open and one in the European - achieving outstanding results.

Joshua Varrier-Smith won the British novice men’s heavyweight title, Sempai Ethan Miller was crowned novice men’s lightweight champion and Suzanne Purhonen won the novice women’s lightweight competition.

In addition, Sempai Luke Bilham and Tom Fox secured joint bronze in the novice men’s lightweight category.

Tia Nayer earned bronze in the under-16 girls’ (-55kg) division and Oliver Javorsky brought home bronze in the under-12 boys’ (-35kg) category.

Despite not regularly competing in open tournaments, the club ranked among the top 10 out of the 52 clubs - a tremendous achievement.

Their success also extended to a recent inter-club tournament in Tenterden, where clubs from across the UK, including Wales and Scotland, gathered.

Ashford Karate Jutsu Kai proudly took home 19 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals, further showcasing the dedication and talent of their students.

The club are currently running beginners’ courses for both kickboxing and karate. For more information visit karatejutsukai.com/dojo/ashford