ST HELENS teenager Katherine Cheshire has finished a great competitive year with medals at the European Shotokan Karate Championship.

The 16-year-old De la Salle pupil collected silver and bronze in Chalkida, Greece.

The Northern Region Champion 2015 and current North West Open, KUGB National, Liverpool, National Youth Champion and Shotokan Cup holder in the under 15s Kumite event was selected to represent the Karate Union of Great Britain’s England team in the girls cadet individual and team events.

The Eccleston girl also stepped up in age groups and joined the junior girls team on the second day.

On the first day in the cadet event there was little optimism for the team who had to face a strong Russian team in the first round.

Cheshire had other plans and led from the front and laid the foundation by lifting her team mates and spectators by scoring an unexpected Ippon win.

Suffice to say Katherine and her team mates Niamh Dunddridge, Libby Bayley and Thea Priest went on to defeat an aggressive Welsh team to reach the final.

There they came second to a well-drilled Polish team.

On the second day Cheshire stepped up to support the junior team who competed against a well-organised Swiss and strong Hungarian team.

They did not make the final but reached the semi-finals coming third. The girls can take great credit from their performances they did really well achieving bronze medals in a tournament dominated by the Russian and Polish competitors.

Cheshire, who trains at Halewood Karate Club under the guidance of Sensei Chris Thomas, is grateful for all the support she has received.

Sensei Richard Pavšič allowed her to access additional training at the Lancashire Shotokan Karate Academy.