ST HELENS karate ace Nicole Donoghue will be flying out to Switzerland this weekend as she competes with KUGB Team England in the European Shotokan Karate Championships (ESKA 2014) in Zurich.

Leaving England yesterday, the 19-year-old will form part of the KUGB England Kumite Team.

The team will compete under the guidance of world-renowned coaches Andy Sherry and Frank Brennan, who are both former international champions.

The Junior team will compete in the tournament on Saturday and it is one the youngster from Bold Heath is looking forward to.

Donoghue said: “After competing for the first time in 2013, I have mixed emotions going into ESKA 2014.

“It’s so exciting to be part of the England team, the atmosphere is electric in the stadium.

“The support from my country when I am on the tatami is overwhelming, Portugal in particular saw some amazing fighters.

“I hoped to have learned from the experience and come back this year stronger and more determined than ever before.”

She will have plenty of support – with family cheering from St Helens.

“I know my family will be watching via the live streaming and will be supporting me all the way.

“Some of the strongest competition came from the Polish, they had some strong, sharp fighters.

“Last year I picked up a gold for team, this year I hope to get placed in the individual kumite,” she said.

Dedicated to the sport, Donoghue trains under the watchful eye of Sensei Ian Roberts at St Helens Karate, and has studied the martial art since the age of 9 years old, now a 2nd Dan, she often ranks in the top three in regional, national and international competitions.

She not only has a love for competing, but she enjoys nothing more than putting the youngsters through their paces as she teaches The Little Tigers.

In 2013, Donoghue made the team for the first time, at which she competed in the World Championship in Liverpool and the Europeans in Portugal, bringing home two gold medals and one bronze, she hopes to better competing at ESKA 2014.