THE Welsh Karate League's seventh event of the season, held at Penarth's Cogan Leisure Centre on November 30, brought the curtain down on the competition year in style for Vale Karate, as they won 10 gold, nine silver and 15 bronze medals.

Over the course of seven tournaments this season, with two still to come in January and March, Vale Karate have amassed an amazing 87 gold, 76 silver and 110 bronze medals.

This season's WKL has seen almost 1000 unique entries from 59 clubs from all over the UK taking part, with the standard being driven up relentlessly.

The WKL has sparked an interest and participation in competitive Karate in Wales that hasn't been seen since the halcyon days of the 70s and 80s.

The recent attendance of Rob Green's St Pats Academy has added an extra dimension to the WKL as Rob enters with a huge squad, but crucially has a large Special Needs contingent, including several wheelchair users.

These categories, with competitors from Vale, Cardiff Shotokan and Fairfield joining the St Pats members were once again watched by councillor John (Leisure and Tourism) and the Vale's Disability Sport Wales officer Simon Jones.

Vale Karate has always had an all-round ethos, placing equal emphasis on the two aspects of competition, Kata and Kumite.

Kloe Christoforato and Leah Copeland are two good examples

Kloe 14, has been on fire this season and entered WKL VII with a nine point lead on the overall Individual leader board.

In Penarth she amassed a further 14 points and with only two WKL events remaining, Kloe with 79 points is now 15 points ahead of her nearest rival, none other than team-mate Emma Squire.

Kloe has been even more successful than the individual stats reveal, as her and her mum Heidi, have dominated the 'Parent and Child' Kata event winning all seven competitions so far this season, and with team-mates Harrison Williams and Josh Dwyer the Vale U14 team have won five of seven U-14 team Kumite titles.

Leah 20, has been the most successful adult, having won all seven Ladies Kata events as well as three Kumite titles.

Gold medallists:

Parent and Child Kata; Heidi and Kloe

Junior Shotokan Kata; Kloe Christoforato

Under 16 Girls Kumite; Eve Watson

Vale U10 Kumite team; (Rhydian, Leigha and Finnian)

Vale U14 Kumite team; (Harrison, Kloe and Josh)

U10 Advanced Kata; Griff Hughes

U10 Novice Boys Kumite; Rhydian Pullin

U10 Advanced Boys Kumite; Finnian O'Donovan

U14 Advanced Girls Kata; Kloe Christoforato

Ladies Kata; Leah Copeland

Silver medallists:

Special Needs 14 years and above; Daniel Richards

Parent and Child Kata; Pippa and Chris

Vale Vipers Junior Pairs Kata; Harrison and Josh

Under 8 Kata; Gregory James

Under 8 Boys Kumite; Iolo Goddard

Vale Samurai U12 Kumite team; Ryan, Ella and Jack

U14 Girls Kumite; Kloe Christoforato

Ladies Kumite; Leah Copeland

Men's Veteran Kumite; Rory O'Donovan

Bronze medallists:

Special Needs 14 years U14; Connor Ashill

Special Needs U14; Lucas Widdrington

Parent and Child Kata; Giulia and Chiara

U8 Kata; Daisy Vann

U16 Advanced Kata; Thomas Mullett

U16 Boys Kumite; Thomas Mullett

U10 Novice Kata; Rhydian Pullin

U10 Advanced Kata; Ella Lyons

U10 Girls Kumite; Leigha Goddard

U12 Advanced Boys Kumite; Jack George

U14 Advanced Boys Kumite; Harrison Williams

U14 Advanced Boys Kumite; Josh Dwyer

Ladies Kata; Amy Davis

Ladies Kumite; Amy Davis