FAIRFORD Leys’ Harry Adaway walked away with four gold medals from two big martial arts tournaments recently.
The 11 year old secured top spots in the non-contact Chinese Hand Form and Chinese Weapon disciplines at the British Tai Chai Open in Oxford just before Easter- and then repeated the feat at the Malympex European Championships held at Stoke Mandveille Stadium a few weeks later.
At the Euros, he was also the only child to take part in actual Tai Chai against 12 adults, in which he came a very respectable eighth.
The result at Stoke Mandeville kicks his achievement last year when he won just the one gold- he has only been training in weapons (little wooden sticks called staffs) since October last year. He had competed in the British Open in the previous two years without winning a medal.
The St Mary’s School pupil began training at the Black Dragon School of Martial Arts three ago, where he was talent-spotted by Shifu (teacher) Clive Spring.
Mum Claire said: “I am exceptionally proud of him- he is my little star.
“He was always interested in typical boys’ programmes when he was younger like Power Rangers then a couple of his friends from school joined (the martial arts school) and he said he wanted to as well.
“From his first lessons they said he had a natural talent which has developed. Clive Spring is an exceptional trainer, he does not just receive physical training, they get the spiritual and discipline side as well.”
She said the aim for the future was to win more medals. “The teachers’ idea for Harry in future years is that if he wanted to he could progress to be a Kungfu teacher himself,” said Claire.
The Black Dragon School of Martial Arts holds children’s’ classes at Fairford Leys Community Centre. Such is Harry’s skill level, he now trains with the adults at the Elmhurst Community Centre.