We are incredibly proud of Hazel, who recently had the amazing opportunity to represent her club and country at a major karate competition in Brazil.

Although she narrowly missed out on a medal, Hazel delivered some outstanding performances and should be extremely proud of her achievements. In her first kata event, she impressed the judges and earned a flag, which is awarded when a judge votes for a competitor. In her second kata group, Hazel progressed to the next round with all five judges voting in her favour. She was then narrowly defeated in a closely contested round.

Hazel also competed brilliantly in kumite (sparring). She won her first match convincingly by 4 points to 0 and showed great skill, determination and resilience throughout the competition. In her next match, she was narrowly beaten by a point scored in the final seconds of the contest. The competitor who defeated Hazel went on to win the gold medal, highlighting just how challenging the competition was.

Most importantly, Hazel has embraced every moment of this incredible experience, competing at an international level, meeting athletes from around the world and making memories that will last a lifetime. She is now enjoying the chance to support and cheer on her teammates while continuing to soak up the atmosphere in Brazil.

Congratulations, Hazel. You have represented yourself, your club and your country with pride, and we are all delighted by your achievements! 👏🥋