Karate Alba’s Inverness teenager Vilis Forstmanis wins fourth gold medal in-a-row at the British Championships

Karate Alba’s Vilis Forstmanis won his fourth gold medal in-a-row after winning the British Championships title.

Victory in Durham last weekend at the British Para Wheelchair Karate Championships followed up triumphs at the Scottish Nationals, Scottish Grand Prix and Cumbria Open.

The Highland Heroes award winner, being named the Child of Courage back in February, performed Unsu Kata – the most advanced form of Kata performed at the British Championships as it requires strikes to the eyes, kicks on the floor, plus a 360 degree jump.

Along with Karate Alba Sensei Dolina Ross, Forstmanis adapted the routine to his wheelchair while keeping it as true as possible to the original form.

Forstmanis was not the only success story for Karate Alba at the championships, though, with two other athletes winning silver medals.

Competing together in the pairs event, Scottish champion and Charleston Academy pupil Jamie Borthwick (15) and Millburn Academy pupil Theo Jenkins (14) finished second on the podium – in the latter’s first time competing in the British Championships.

Both teenagers are black belts with Karate Alba.

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