A TEENAGE member of a Skipton karate club went to Venice this month to compete in the 2023 World Karate Federation Youth League Championships.

And in an extraordinary performance out in Italy, 18-year-old old Jack Moran scooped an incredible bronze medal, making both his family and Quest Karate Club proud beyond words.

Moran, who is an apprentice at Guyson’s in Skipton, was competing at a truly prestigious international competition, the largest of 2023, with over 4,000 competitors from all over the world.

The teenager competed in the Under 21 -60kg division against the top 96 international athletes.

After a 10-hour day and seven tough rounds, Moran made the Under-21 -60kg division bronze final against a fighter from Chile, beating his South American opponent 4–0 to take home a medal.

Moran said: “I’m buzzing to medal in my first World Karate Federation as an under 21 athlete and at a world-class event.

“I’m very happy with my performance and the result of achieving a bronze medal.”

Moran was keen to thank Sensei Frank Pullano (Quest Karate Club, Skipton) and Sensei Paul Newby (NCAA, Silsden) for their help in preparation for this event and also expressed his gratitude to Tim Done (Tim Done Clinics), his sports physio.

Following Moran’s performance and result in Venice, he has been selected to represent the England National Karate Team to compete at the (WKF) European Championships for Cadets, Juniors & U21s in Georgia on February 9, 2024.

Moran will again be up against some of the best fighters in the karate world in his age group and is hoping to win another medal, but the competitive fighter he is, the 18-year-old is very much going for gold this time.

The teenager is a 3rd Dan Black Belt, who took up karate at just five years old in order to help build up his confidence.

It has been some journey from that shy little boy to a young man who is now competing on European and world stages.

As mentioned above, Moran is a member of Quest Karate Club in Skipton and is coached by Sensei Pullano, who said: “Jack is a dedicated student and has put in a lot of hard work over the years.

“For Jack to achieve a bronze medal at such a prestigious and very high level is fantastic.

“For him to then be selected to represent his country for a fifth time at the highest level for his age group is a very proud moment, as his coach.”

For those interested in joining a successful winning team or those simply wanting to try a new sport, please call Sensei Pullano on 07718 140904 to arrange a free taster session at Quest.