A Kingston karate instructor is hoping a rising teenage star can conquer Europe in style this weekend.

England international Fran Hardcastle competes at the EKF European Karate Championships for Juniors and U21 in Switzerland this weekend where she will hope to better last year’s bronze medal at the same event in Portugal.

The Khalsa Karate Club 16-year-old trains at the Hawker Centre enjoyed the perfect preparation by claiming gold at the English Championships last month where Khalsa clubmates Florence Bradley, 9, and Rachel Eagleton, 12, also triumphed in their respective age groups.

Ciara Gray claimed a silver medal and Alex James won an individual bronze and a team bronze for the club alongside Eagleton.

Khalsa founder and head coach Satinder Sehra, said: “The fantastic results are due to the hard work everyone has put in at training, but also the lovely atmosphere of the club.

“Everyone’s really supportive of each other and it’s just a great community atmosphere at YMCA Hawker.

“There’s very much a mentality of ‘giving back’ and adult members do so by volunteering as trainers for the younger members.”

Sehra started Khalsa Karate more than 20 years ago with only three students.

Since moving to the YMCA Hawker Centre in 2001 it has grown to include clubs throughout north Kingston at Tiffin Girls School, Grey Court School, Fern Hill Primary School and St Richard’s Primary School.