Norfolk has a new double world karate champion.

Eastern Daily Press: Masie Emmerson atop the podium in Florida. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDMasie Emmerson atop the podium in Florida. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Karateka Sensei Masie Emmerson, who trains at the Blackbelt Academy in Norwich, won gold in Korean Forms at the WMAG World Games in Florida last month.

That follows on from her gold in the ISKA Amateur World Championships in Athens earlier this year, and puts the 26-year-old, who also brought home a silver and a bronze, at the very top of the martial art.

She said: 'I am over the moon to have come away from Florida as a two-time World Kata Champion.

'It has been a very tough and busy year full of training and preparation, but I feel completely accomplished. To also win a bronze medal in the Japanese Kata in Florida after coming away from Athens unplaced, meant a great deal to me in terms of personal improvement.'

But Emmerson wasn't the only martial artist from the Blackbelt Academy – which also teaches students at several locations across the county – to enjoy success.

Master Wayne Baker won a gold, two silvers and a bronze, while Callum Green scooped triple gold and three bronzes. Zak Hill Brown grabbed three golds, a silver and a bronze, and William Oakins took two golds and two silvers.

Students from NMATC, which has classes all over Norfolk, also excelled. Harri Peck took two golds and three silvers, Georgie Hemstock had a gold, silver and bronze and Molly Thomas claimed three golds, a silver and a bronze.

Elizabeth Cooper meanwhile, grabbed triple gold and a silver. Finally, Rory Lark, who trains at East Coast Karate in Great Yarmouth, claimed three golds.

Norfolk martial arts pioneer Richard Vince, who coaches Emmerson, said: 'I am so pleased and proud to have had this level of success, especially considering that some of the guys only have a small amount of experience.

'It's great for Masie too, to pick up another World Championship title in 2017. It has not been by accident, she has worked her socks off to achieve this level of performance.'

For more information about Blackbelt Academy classes, call 01603 760022 or email info@blackbelt4sure.com.

For information about NMATC teaching, call Chris Hemstock on 01508 530573 or 07917 304667, or email admin@nmacgb.net.

You can also find out about the East Coast Blackbelt School on 01493 657153.