A Heaton Mersey schoolgirl is proving she is the real karate kid.

Katherine Roberts, 12, from Sunnybank Avenue, has been selected to represent England at the WKC (World Karate and Kickboxing Council) World Championships in Portugal later this year.

The Priestnall School pupil, who is a blackbelt in taekwondo and a brown belt in karate, was chosen after winning the gold medal in the under-13s extreme forms at the National Championships in Urmston.

Katherine, who trains at Jason Baird’s Blackbelt Academy in Offerton, sealed the gold medal with her signature aerial moves and standing kicks – even picking up a bronze in the traditional kata.

"I was over the moon to get into the England team," said Katherine, a member of the Academy’s Excel Performance Team.  I didn’t expect it as I was up against some really strong competition. I really enjoy extreme karate, it is my favourite martial art – it is fun and I think I am good at it.  One day I want to be world champion."

Katherine is also a talented archer and as a member of Cheadle’s Bowmen of Bruntwood has represented Cheshire.

Proud Dad Chris, 36, said her passion for martial arts started when the family took up taekwondo when Katherine was six.

He said: "I have been training in taekwondo since I was a kid. After we had our third child my wife and I decided to take up a sport that we could get fit and learn something from.  We took Katherine along and she has never looked back. Katherine is so motivated and focused and wants to be as successful as Jason Baird, who has won world titles.  She is very serious about it and not that many girls fight at this standard. Jason is over the moon that she joined his academy and she has just excelled. She manages to juggle her school work, archery and karate. We are all so proud of her – she puts her heart into everything she does."