National karate champion Lilly Miles of St Annes fights for England in Italy

St Annes karate ace Lilly Miles flies to Italy to fight for Great Britain next week – and she will do so as a national champion.

By Andy Moore

Published 27th Oct 2022, 16:45 BST

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The 12-year-old won a full set of medals at the GB National Championships that took place at Dudley, in the West Midlands.

Lilly struck gold in the kumite (fighting) category, while also winning a silver and a bronze in the kata (patterns) discipline.

They add to a growing collection of national medals for the Kirkham Grammar School pupil, who trains at the First Dojo club in Blackpool.

Her achievements have earned selection for the GB team which will contest the European Championships in Florence.

The team is scheduled to be making the trip to Italy next Tuesday.

Proud mum Jessica said: “Lilly only took up karate two-and-a-half years ago and has trained from the start with her sensei, Jamie Edmonds.”