FOUR members of Basingstoke’s Su-Ha-Ri Karate School helped the Wado International Karate Federation defend their senior men’s crown at the English Karate Federation All Styles National Championships.

This was thanks to the quartet of Jim Feighery-Murphy, Kevin McAuslan-Crine, Terry Brigdale and Ben Hackett along with Joe Kelloway from London's Kenbukan Karate School.

In the quarter-finals Wado International Karate Federation (WIKF) faced JKS who they beat in the final last year.

As JKS only had four fighters on their team, they lost one fight by default and wins for Brigdale and Kelloway, gave them a 3-0 win.

In the semi-finals against Karate Do Federation, Feighery-Murphy led the way beating his opponent 4-1. Kelloway and Hackett followed suit to again give them victory.

The final proved much tougher with all five fighters taking to the mat. Their opponents Kaizen were favourites and headed up by the English Karate Federation national coach Willie Thomas.

McAuslan-Crine got the ball rolling winning his fight 3-1. Kelloway, was then narrowly beaten by the All Styles World champion Jordan Thomas.

Hackett won 4-2 in the third fight when on the whistle he threw a punch that knocked his opponent out cold. While the medics tended to the sleeping warrior, the judges deliberated on whether to disqualify Hackett for excessive contact.

Fortunately, they disqualified his now awake but dizzy opponent for rushing in wildly with no guard.

Feighery-Murphy was then defeated by the European champion, Panagiotis.

With two wins each, it set up a final fight decider for Brigdale, a middle weight fighter and 25kg lighter than his opponent.

Undeterred by this gargantuan difference in size and power, he used his speed to pick off his slower opponent. With his 2-0 win which gave WIKF a 3-2 win and the title.

Coach Crine said: “Defending our team title means so much. Best of all, we have a very young team, so there is no reason why they can’t dominate for the next ten years.”

Su-Ha-Ri Karate School trains at Basingstoke Sports Centre on Friday evenings, from 6.45pm to 7.45pm and at Tadley Swimming Pool on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 7pm.

For more info contact Jon Wicks on 01252 326498 or visit su-ha-ri.co.uk.