World Karate Champion gets Kick start from Knowsley Community College - 08/12/2009

Roby Sixth Form student, James McGorian, has won the World Karate Championships and finished a close second in the European finals.

James, who is studying for A Levels in Human Biology, Statistics and PE, got into Karate about ten years ago, following in the footsteps of his uncle. He is a member of Halewood Karate club, based at Huyton Leisure Centre. James fought off fierce competition from thirty other contestants to be crowned World Champion for his age group at the competition which took place in Cancun, Mexico. James also got to travel to Wels in Austria for the European Championships, where he closely missed out on first place in the final.

James, who will turn 18 on Christmas Day, said, ‘I have been doing Karate so long now, it is great to have worked my way up and won the World Championships, and also to have finished second in the European Championships. I am grateful to the College for sponsoring me and I hope to carry on and win more competitions and defend my title.’

Alongside his Karate, James wants to continue his studies at the College, before going to University and training to be a PE teacher. Assistant Principal of Knowsley Community College, Bill Doran, who sponsored James to go to the European finals, said, ‘ The College is committed to supporting all its learners in realising their goals, be they academic, personal or sporting. We are only too happy to have helped James financially and would do so again as well as helping any College student. James is a credit to the College and all the staff and we are extremely proud of what he has achieved.’