A KARATE club in Llanelli has been basking in glory after winning nine medals at the Welsh junior championships.

The karate club at Llangennech Community Centre, part of the Swansea- based Shukan Ryu club, brought home nine medals at the competition in July, including two golds.

But Sensei Alan Bowen said while it is great for the club to win medals, it is not all they are about.

"Don't get me wrong, the medals are lovely, but we get kids who come through the door with little or no confidence, and by the end of our time with them they are much more confident.

Team

"Not everyone is going to be a Welsh champion but when you have got a child who lacks confidence, if after 12 months their parents are saying, 'I can't believe what karate has done in their lives, their school work, making new friends', that's when I think 'that's what I'm about'.

"We're a family club — my missus is a brown belt, and my son is two belts away from a black belt. We're all part of a team."

Mr Bowen, 40, who lives in Rhandir Terrace in the village, has been doing karate for more than 20 years and said since setting up the club three years ago it has grown in size and stature.

"When I started, the classes were of one or two, now there's at least 15 in each, and we have four a week.

"We have got people in the club who are so young they have got potential to go all the way.

"There are kids in the club who are doing fantastically well."

Lisa Lewis, from Llwynhendy, has been going to the classes with her seven-year-old daughter Rachael for about a year.

She said: "Alan and Sian, the other instructor, are very good with the children, so from a parental view they are encouraging and keep the discipline.

"I've also got a two-year-old son, Michael, who I will definitely start bringing to the classes when he's old enough."

Lynda Morgan, whose daughter Nia is in the same class as Rachael at Llangennech Primary School, said she thinks the discipline of the sport is good for children.

"What I like is the respect of it, it's good for them to listen.

"On top of that, it's physical activity so it's good to keep them fit," said Lynda.

laura.burnip@swwmedia.co.uk