Zak shows he's top of the chops
AN EIGHT-year-old karate whizz-kid has another achievement to add to his belt after being crowned Grand Champion at an international schools tournament.
AN EIGHT-year-old karate whizz-kid has another achievement to add to his belt after being crowned Grand Champion at an international schools tournament.In August, The Evening Telegraph reported how Zak Rudman could be one of the youngest people in the country to win a black belt which is worn only by the quickest, most powerful and most focused of people.
Watch video: Zak Rudman gets his black belt in karate at the age of just seven.
But the youngster has once again shown his huge potential for become a master in the martial arts world by scooping first place at the nine years and under XMA forms black belt schools international tournament, which was held in Doncaster.
Zak, from Orton Brimbles, Peterborough, achieved two first places and two second places during a series of tournaments to get the new title.
He said: "I thought I had a good chance of winning because I was at the top of the leaderboard throughout the tournament, but I was really pleased and I am going to carry on with my lessons and see if I can become a master."
After being crowned Grand Champion, Zak was given a trophy and certificate, which he says he will treasure forever.
Now the Matley Primary School pupil, who also teaches younger children at his club – Premier Martial Arts, in Orton Southgate, says he will work towards becoming a master, which could take him another 20 years.
Zak's dad, Paul, said: "We are extremely proud of him. For a seven-year-old boy to get a black belt is an amazing achievement and to win his first tournament is really good.
"All of his friends and trainers think he will go far, and we hope he continues with it.
"At the moment, Zak is karate mad and we are finding it hard to get him into going to any other clubs, such as Cubs.
"But he is very fit and at least he is not spending too much time watching TV and playing computer games."
Zak lives and breathes karate and even has hopes of one day starring in an action film.
He started karate when he was just three years of age, and after watching many of the Star Wars films he decided to try and fulfil his dream of becoming a Jedi Knight.
He said: "I go training up to six times a week, nothing will get in the way of my karate. I am really in to movies, especially Jackie Chan, but I would love to be the next Karate Kid."
Zak's clubmates also did well in the tournament. Frankie Hunter achieved Grand Champion for girls under 16 years point sparing.
Courtney Lee came second in the nine years and under XMA forms and Jessica Street added to her recently won trophies from the Peterborough series and got a second place.
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Friday 12 March 2010
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