A former pupil at Croesyceiliog School has won gold at the Kyokushin World Union (KWU) European Championships in Bulgaria.

Sempai (2nd Dan) Hayley-Beth Rowlands is a member of Cwmbran Kyokushinkai Karate Club. Kyokushin is a form of stand-up, full contact karate.

A spokesman from her club said: “The KWU association is the highest level of competition available to the most demanding of all traditional karate styles.

“There were over 700 competitors and although it was a European tournament there were many World Champions taking part. Sempai Hayley was competing in the Adult ladies (over 18) under 50kg category and she defeated competitors from Kazakhstan, Russia and Greece.

“Sempai Hayley’s progression under the guidance of Sensei Gareth Rowlands, Shihan Terry Prescott and more recently Sensei Jonathan Tineo has been one of continuing success.”

She won the IFK World under 16s , came second in the IFK World under 18s and came second in the IFK World under 21s.

Sempai Hayley was also awarded the accolade of best technical female fighter by the judges in Bulgaria.

The next competitions are in Madrid in March, Merthyr in May, Crawley in October culminating in the KWU World Championships in Kazakhstan in December.

Join Cwmbran Kyokushinkai Karate

Call Sensei Gareth Rowlands on 07776 254709 to find out more about the club.