LEWIS Johnstone is back from the FSKA World Karate Championships in Venice having completed a superb Italian Job.

FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh, student Johnstone was among 500 competitors from 20 nations taking part. He said: “I performed extremely well in the kata and, after eight young 11-12 year-olds, had taken part, I was in first place with very high marks. “But in my area there were 15 competitors and the standards were very high and I eventually came joint fourth.

“The fighting section (kumite) was very tough and I managed to get through to the quarter-finals and finished joint third, but lost to a Ukrainian boy who went on to win the gold medal. “The experience was unbelievable and very challenging and I’m looking forward to competing again next year.”