High hopes for Hanya as she gets kicks from karate contest
The 21-year-old cleaner from Pudsey will travel to Italy for the World United Karate Federation’s European Karate Championships competition in June.
Hanya was chosen after going through a rigorous selection process.
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Hide AdShe will be competing in both kata and kumite events and has recently achieved a Boxercise instructor’s qualification.
Hanya said: “I’m excited but nervous. I’m training three or four times a week and at home and I just love it.
“I went and watched the World Championships in Romanis and that inspired me to try harder.”
Speaking about her day job as a cleaner, Hanya added: “It’s nice to have the change.
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Hide Ad“I can feel tired after work but when I get to training it’s a whole different energy.”
Hanya trains at the Kaizen Martial Arts Academy in Stanningley.
Instructor and owner Jim Reece said: “I am chuffed to bits and over the moon.
“Hanya is a grafter and trains hard and I’ve never seen anybody so motivated.”
To help fund Hanya so she can go to the championships, visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kaizenmaa/.