SENSHI Academy competitors will represent England in the World Karate and Kickboxing Commission World Championships in Portugal next week.

They qualified at the WKKC English Championships in Worksop in March and have dedicated their last month to a training camp in preparation for what is to come in Albufeira from Saturday to Friday, November 1.

With all the hard work done, the group will fly out to Faro on Saturday and give their all to win medals for their country.

The Senshi Academy team's competitors range from aged nine to 40.

“The students have been training extremely hard starting their training at 6am every morning with a five-mile run then straight into the dojo to put in fitness and skills until 7.30am before they fuel up ready for a day at school,” said Lorraine Riley, a sixth degree black belt and multiple world champion who coaches the group alongside her husband Ben Clark.

“The students have been coming back into the dojo to train in the evenings from 5pm to 8pm which enables them to fit everything in around school/work hours.

“These kids have been working extremely hard, giving 100 per cent commitment to the training regime.

“Our younger ones, Alana Fagan, Lucas Riley and Max Ward have been very impressive in their focus and positive attitude when pushing through tiredness and fatigue.

“Overall, myself and my husband Ben are extremely proud of the team’s overall commitment and performance throughout the four-week training camp as it’s a physically draining experience, but an experience that the team will keep with them forever.

“I’m excited and confident on seeing the team’s success at this level.”

Full squad, featuring members from Widnes, Runcorn, Liverpool and Cheshire areas: Lucas Riley, 9; Alana Fagan, 9; Max ward, 9; Sophia Wimp, 12; Sonny Wray Saunders, 12; Daniel Mogg, 13; Lj Devine, 14; Cole Clark, 15; Kyle Riley Clark, 15 (world champion); Emilia Howe, 15; Sienna Fallows, 18 (world champion); Jami Moran, 28; Marvin Riley, 40.