Blackpool Karate students shone while competing for England at the WKC World Kickboxing and Karate Championships.

Three Blackpool Karate students are on top of the world after representing England at the WKC World Kickboxing and Karate Championships.

The competition, held in Spanish city Cadiz, saw nine of the Cornwall Avenue club’s members in action for their country.

Antonio Caputo became a double world champion, winning golds in the 16-18 mixed doubles and 16-18 boys’ under-80kg division, as well as team silver in the 16-18 boys’ event.

Another double winner was Jacob Smalley, who claimed gold in the 12-13 boys’ tag team event and the over-65kg.

He also landed silver in the 12-13 boys’ team section and bronze in the openweight division.

Giovanni Caputo was part of England’s gold medal-winning continuous team in addition to four individual medals.

There were silvers in the 16-18 boys’ team section, the 16-18 mixed doubles and the over-80kg points fighting category, along with bronze in the 16-18 boys’ over-80kg continuous division.

Brooke Cremona took silvers in the 13-15 girls’ team and under-60kg sections, with a bronze in the girls’ tag team event.

Noah Johnson also won silver in the 12-13 boys’ under-40kg competition, while Georgia Smalley left with silver in the 10 and under mixed doubles along with under-40kg bronze.

Amelia Caputo claimed bronze in the 13-15 girls’ tag team category, as did Amy Turner in the women’s under-55kg section.

Charlie Revel competed in the men's divisions and faced some incredibly tough draws in narrowly missing out on a medal.

He was beaten by the eventual winner in three different sections, showing just how high the standard of competition was.

Head coach Dale Noble said: “I cannot begin to express how proud I am of every single one of these students.

“To have nine students from one karate club in Blackpool selected to represent their country is an enormous achievement in itself.

“For three of them to return as world champions, and for the others to achieve such high rankings against the world's best, is something truly special.

“Behind every medal are years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and commitment, not just from the students themselves but also from their families, who support them every step of the way.”