Fordingbridge’s karate phenom Thomas Klemz cements world’s best status after WKF World Youth League gold

After winning gold at the recent WKF World Youth League meet in Mexico, Fordingbridge’s karate star Thomas Klemz has cemented his place at the top of the world rankings.

The Burgate School pupil won gold after four tough rounds, rubber-stamping his status as the world’s best after moving to the top spot in the 14-16 category for Kata in the World Karate Federation rankings last month.

The teenager is an English, British and Commonwealth gold medalist, and he achieved the ranking rise by consistently earning high points in international events in the Kata discipline.

He dominated the competition in Mexico, winning all four rounds, including beating several top-ten world athletes from Ukraine, Italy, Venezuela and the Czech Republic.

In the finale, he faced the Czech Republic, winning 24.4 to 23.9, taking the maximum 620 points.

Thomas told the A&T: “I am so happy to win my first event after becoming world number one. I have to train, eat and rest like the world number one, and my hard work has paid off.

“I am lucky to have a very supportive family, a great club in Kazoku Karate England and brilliant coaching from Sandy Scordo, a multiple world and European medalist. I would not have achieved this without them.”

The next event for Thomas is the Venice World Youth League event in December, and he hopes success will lead to selection for the European Karate Junior Championships in Georgia in February 2024.