BROTHERS Joshua and Jacob Lewis from Winsford scored success in the British Karate Federation Four Nations Championships.

At Karate’s leading UK competition, in which more than two thousand athletes competed over two days, Jacob, nine, was crowned British champion, and 13-year-old Joshua was placed third.

Jacob battled against top-placed athletes for five rounds, scoring 5:0, 4:1, 5:0, 4:1, to finish first, winning 3:2.

Joshua went through the early rounds with straight 5:0 scores, and beat the English silver medallist with a 5:0 score in the quarter-finals. This got him to the semi-finals, where his luck ran out, yet he was still impressive, winning a bronze medal.

The boys train for more than 20 hours a week with Williams Karate in Tattenhall, Rudheath, Weaverham and Kelsall.

Barry Williams Sensei, 6th Dan of Williams Karate, said: “Channelling their ability into national competitions has focused their already driven mentality. They are a true credit to the club and work really hard.”

Jacob began karate training at the age of five, inspired by his elder brother.

Mum Sharon said: “Jacob competed in the nationals after only six months experience as a red belt.

“Competing against green and blue belts, the family knew this competition would be a good experience for him, and lots of fun.”

“He was dedicated, constantly telling me he was going to ‘get gold’.

“I tried to control any disappointment by explaining that winning wasn’t a given or something that could be bought.

“He walked up to me after winning and held up the medal, exclaiming ‘I told you I was going to get gold.’ ”