KARATE teacher Ben Richardson has been chosen to represent England at an international contest in South Africa.
Mr Richardson, chief instructor at The Abingdon Dojo and Can Do Martial Arts will compete at the JKS World Karate Championships in Sun City next September.
He made the cut after being picked as a member of the England Elite Squad earlier this year and winning two golds and a clutch of silver and bronze medals at events throughout 2014.
Mr Richardson, who runs the studio in Thames View, Abingdon, with wife Virginia, said: “It has always been my dream to represent my country overseas. Now it has come true on the biggest stage possible.
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“This call-up is particularly rewarding and a great lesson for my students. It is important, especially for our younger members, to see that if you really want to achieve something then there are no short cuts or easy routes to success.
“You have to be dedicated, patient and work hard for your dreams.
“Anything is possible if you don’t give up.”
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