THE Epping and Woodford-based Shikon Karate squad topped the medal table at the Western Karate Union's Annual Championships in Bristol.

Shikon were recently defeated by the Western Karate Union's mens team in the final of the National Championships so there was a score to be settled, and their performances ensured Shikon would emerge on top this time.

The under-16 events saw Jason Marquis win a bronze in kata (form), while Jamie Carroll and Sam Sullivan took second and third respectively in the boys under 5ft 3ins fighting.

Jamie's sister Shauna went one better by winning gold in her category (girls over 5ft 3ins) and Jason Marquis took a convincing gold in the boys over 5ft 9ins section.

In the cadet (16-17 years) sections Shikon took both female and male golds with Jenna Shilston and Daniel Broom, who are both current members of the England squad, completely outclassing their opposition.

Jenna also overcame the handicap of being the smallest and youngest competitor in the senior mixed black belt kata tournament to win another gold with a superb display of superinmpei kata.

For the ladies team Shikon had their strongest line-up available with Ami Carrigan-Smith, Ono Ogbekene and Jenna Shilston all competing.

They eased through to the final where they met Port Talbot. Ogbekene went out first and took a commanding 5-0 lead, but was disqualified for kicking her opponent in the head and causing an eye injury.

Shilston levelled the scores by winning her fight 7-2, but Carrigan-Smith was narrowly beaten in the third and deciding fight and Shikon had to settle for second.

All three girls were out to prove a point in the ladies open individuals and Ogbekene defeated Western Karate Union's Sarah Clark, who knocked out both her team-mates en route to the final, to claim gold.

The final event was the mens five-man team. Dan Cuthbert captained a squad completed by Dan Broom, Leon Martin, Barry Battson and Aman Panesar Shikon battled through to the final where they faced rivals Western Karate Union and Panesar, Martin and Battson all triumphed to ensure they would take the spoils.

Shikon returned home with seven gold medals, two silvers and three bronzes from their squad of 12 fighters.