An Ayrshire nurse has claimed a World Karate Confederation (WKC) title – despite being involved in a car crash the week before.
Dundonald’s Ashley Gwynne, who works as a Theatre Nurse at University Hospital Crosshouse, competed in the recent world championships in Serbia.
She travelled to Belgrade to take part in the prestigious annual martial arts competition, which attracts competitors from around the globe.
Ashley won two gold medals despite sustaining injuries during a collision, after coming first in both the Kata and Sanbon Kumite disciplines in the senior females (age 41-50) categories.
Having qualified as a nurse in 2021, Ashley has worked hard to fit long hours of training in around work and family commitments.
Ashley, who trains at Burkado karate club in Prestwick, said: “I try and train for five hours a week with my karate club, where I have been a member for 17 years.
“The WKC has strict weight categories so I had to be disciplined, prioritise my training, maintain fitness and eat a high protein diet in the run up.
“I worked really hard on speed and technique. Unfortunately, my preparation for the tournament didn’t go exactly to plan, as the week beforehand I was involved in a road traffic accident, so I was carrying injuries when we travelled to Belgrade.
“I have trained and competed in karate for years and my family have been hugely supportive, as they knew how much I wanted a world title.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I managed to finish with the gold in both Kata and Kumite!”
Ashley’s manager, senior charge nurse Lorraine Brown, said: “Members of the team here at the main theatres in Crosshouse are hugely proud of Ashley’s phenomenal achievement in winning these world titles.
“She works hard in every aspect of her sport and here at the hospital, where patients are probably unaware they’re being
cared for by a gold medal winning martial artist.”
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