Mum strikes gold at karate world championships

A mum won gold at an international karate competition - as her daughter competed for the first time at the event.

Bianca and Cyra Webb, from Blaby in Leicestershire, represented England at the Japan Karate Association (JKA) World Championships last month.

Bianca, 42, became veteran women's world kumite champion, while Bianca, 17, just missed out on a top 16 finish out of 80 competitors.

The duo trained at the Kazokudai dojo in their village, with Bianca describing her gold medal win as "a surreal feeling".

Both mother and daughter were selected to compete for England in 2020, before the competition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bianca, who is chief instructor at the Kazokudai dojo, which she set up in 2021, said she feels "very proud and honoured" to be able to say she is world champion.

"It's been a lot of hard work and commitment," she added.

When asked about her daughter's achievements, Bianca said: "I am more than proud because the world stage is a special event because we're all there.

"Everyone is the best of their country or the best four of their country.

"So for Kyra to have just missed out on top 16 on her first try out is absolutely amazing."

Cyra, who is assistant instructor at the dojo and provides karate lessons for children, competed in the cadet girls category.

"To be able to watch and sit there and see my mum do that was insane," she said.

"I managed to fight my way through three rounds and just missed out on top 16.

"So for my first ever world championships, I'm over the moon."

Bianca said she was "super proud" to have witnessed her daughter compete and added "hopefully that's not the first and last one".

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