A QUARTET of West Fife karate fighters are set to represent their country at a European championship after battling to national success.

Ruby Wallace, Srishti Panthri, Holly Williams and Conor Beggs, who are students at the JKA (Japan Karate Association) Carnegie Dojo in Dunfermline, have been selected to compete for Scotland at the JKA European Championships in May.

The event, which will be held for children, cadets and veterans, will take place in Kadaň, Czech Republic, on May 25-26 and the four youngsters, aged between nine and 13, will fight in their national colours after picking up medals at the JKA Scotland National Championships at the weekend.

Held at Dunfermline High School, the competition saw Ruby place third in the 10-12 years kata and kumite, and win team kata gold; Srishti won gold in the 10-12 years kumite and team kata; Holly claimed 13-15 years kumite and team kata gold, and kata silver; and Conor won a team kata silver medal.

They will take part in various events, including team kata, individual kata and individual kumite, at the Europeans and Sensei Gordon Williamson, fifth Dan JKA, who is the Dojo's lead instructor, commented: "These four students live and breathe karate and I am sure if we were to open the Dojo 24/7 they would be there training every moment they could.

"The hard work for them and us now starts getting them prepared for the very high standards of karate we know awaits them at European level. Not only will they need additional training but we, as their instructors and trustees of the Carnegie Dojo charity, now have the additional task of trying to raise the money to send these students to compete.

"We are hoping that there may be some individual or company out there in the Dunfermline area that would love to sponsor these students as we will be looking to raise around £4,000 to send them and their parents on this trip.

"We have already arranged a charity curry night at Dhoom Restaurant in the New Row, and over 15 students and instructors will be taking part in this weekend's Tartan Warrior 5K fun run to raise funds, but any sponsorship would be much appreciated and very welcome."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team can speak to Sensei Gordon on 07514975678 or email info@jka-carnegie.org.