Two Co Antrim teenagers are celebrating after smashing it at the North East Karate Open.
Carrick's Thomas Bell claimed an impressive championship title at the prestigious event, staged at East Durham College.
The 17-year-old, a pupil of Carrickfergus Academy, took part in the junior male free fighting category.
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And his teammate, Antrim's Katelynn McCracken (16), entered the female event where she took third place.
Both Thomas and Katelynn also scooped third positions in their respective technical events.
The championships attracted over 500 athletes including the top fighters from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland keen to get valuable experience as a precursor to the Commonwealth Karate Championships which will be held in Birmingham in mid-September.
Northern Ireland coach James Brunton hailed the performances of both fighters.
He said: "Thomas has been training very hard over the past few years to build up his fighting skills. Last weekend he drew on his armoury of techniques to pull off some impressive scores through the elimination rounds and into the finals where he emerged as top dog.
"The challenge now is for Thomas to build on this and keep up the momentum coming into the Commonwealth event.
"Katelynn also has the ability to do well in Birmingham where the top athletes from 21 countries will be fighting for a Commonwealth title."
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