A WORCESTER teenager won a gold medal at the 41st European Wadokai Karate Championships in Reading.

Ellie Sanders triumphed in the pairs kata and added bronze in the individual equivalent in the 16 to 17 years age group.

Despite only taking up the sport four years ago, the Worcester Karate Academy student, 17, competed in her third European tournament.

Sanders, a brown belt, previously won gold at the British Championships in 2012.

In Reading, the ex-Blessed Edward Oldcorne College pupil defeated black belt peers.

She said: “It was brilliant to be able to compete in a European Championship on home soil and even better to win two medals.

“I’ve been training for four years now and it’s great that the championships include junior categories.

“It’s a wonderful experience to be able to test yourself against not only the best in the United Kingdom but the best on the continent.”

Sanders is an apprentice at Worcester’s Yamazaki Mazak.