THIS year's Veras Academy Summer Camp was held at Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon.
Athletes came from various clubs around the UK for a two-day intensive karate training course hosted by Association head, Raphael Veras, with Veras Academy coach Alton Brown.
Special guests former WKF World champion, European champion and six-time French national champion Bel-Lahsen Rida and Luxembourg’s national head coach Stephanie Bel-Lahsen Duperret also attended.
The sessions focused on various aspects of Kumite, with drills covering timing, distance, evasion, attack, and defence, while also focusing on strategic thinking and decision-making.
The under-13 years group particularly impressed the instructors with the intensity of their training and their ability to grasp very complex concepts and principles.
Veras said: "This was our eighth Summer Camp and we were delighted to have Bel-Lahsen Rida with us this year and to be able to host the event in Maldon.
"I was very happy to see a group of highly talented and such hard working youngsters.
"I have no doubt that we are looking at some future World champions.
"I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Blackwater Leisure Centre who could not have been more helpful to us."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here