Six-year-old Mark Craven chosen to represent England in karate championship

Mark Craven

Six-year-old Mark Craven has been chosen to represent England in the upcoming WTKA karate world championships in Italy.

Mark has now become the youngest member of the Dojo in Rochdale to be selected for the competition.

Mark, a pupil at Tonacliffe Primary School in Whitworth, has been training at the Dojo on Castlemere Street since he was three-years-old.

He said: “I love karate and train and practice hard. I like to win so I'll do my best in Italy.”

His proud mum Chelsea Banham said: “Me and his dad were so proud when we received the letter informing us that he had been selected. His karate
club told us he could be chosen due to the titles he had won but because of his age, we didn't think he would be.”

Mark started karate as something to do when he was younger and found himself sticking at it. Chelsea added: “We were just researching things for him to do and karate always seemed to come up. Once he tried it he seemed to really enjoy it and it went from there. He still enjoys it and is karate mad.”

Mark has previously won local, regional and national titles in both Kata and Kumite disciplines.

Kata is a series of choreographed patterns or movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kumite translates to 'grappling hands' and is one of the three main disciples of karate.

Mark has also won the Best of British title in both 2013 and 2014 after competing against older competitors. He also came first in the Yorkshire Open, UK All Styles and National All Styles competitions, making him the Yorkshire Champion and Northern Champion for Under 8s.

“This will be his first world championship and he keeps saying he will do his best but I think it is more about the experience as well. I think I am more nervous than he his,” said Chelsea.

Mark's mum and dad have also been fund-raising in order to help him attend the championships - that take place later this year.

The main fund-raising event is a quiz being held at the Catholic Club in Rochdale this evening (Friday 6 June). The event has been sponsored by local firms E R Williams and Cheapest New Beds in Town.

Chelsea added: “We have had a lot of support from people and the fund-raising is going well. We have the quiz tonight and then things like raffles and tombolas.”

The championships will take place in Italy in October.