Karate kids praised for making an impact
Youngsters at a karate club in South Tyneside have been praised following a medal-laden year – and urged keep punching above their weight in 2026.
The Dokan Club finished 2025 with an astonishing medal tally, including the WUKF World Championships in Sweden where the squad of just 15 students returned home with four winners.
Nine-year-old Joshua Parkin from Marsden, South Shields, won two gold medals, and Myah Hackett, also aged nine, from Redhouse in Sunderland, also struck individual gold.
Myah also captained the gold winning girls’ team – along with Lucia Henderson, 10, and eight-year-old Charlotte Batey.
This was backed up by nine silver and five bronze medals, as the club finish 10th in the overall medal table.
In addition the club topped the medal table in a series of national events, including the DKA Northern League competition in Leeds; the EKA event in Warrington; The Leeds Open; The Liverpool Open and the DKA Northern league competition in Huddersfield.
They rounded off the season with a stunning ‘home’ victory at the Dokan Northern League competition at Sunderland University – the biggest karate competition in the region – by taking 61 first place slots, including eight wins by 10-year-old Alice Watson.
The club’s chief instructor, Kevan Mitchinson, said: “The World Championships in Malmo was an unforgettable experience for all concerned in the best possible way.
"The students also produced a string of great performances over the year, a tremendous effort for what is a relatively small club.
“I hope in 2026 sees Dokan continue to grow and thrive and that we create more life-long memories for our young squad.”
He added: “It was fitting that our final event of the year was our own, held at City Space Sunderland University, and was the largest competition to be held in the region for at least two decades.”
Dokan teaches Shotokan karate – considered a traditional and influential form of the sport – at a range of venues in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
As well as the competition squad the club holds a series of classes for all age groups – and specific beginner’s classes – seven days a week.
For more information on taking up karate call 07939 130411; Facebook DKA Dokan; Email [email protected] of go to www.dokan.co.uk.