A SOUTHEND karate instructor has been selected to represent England in the WKF World Championships in November.

John Gardiner was chosen as the nation’s male Kata athlete for the competition in Bremen as only one competitor from each country can feature in each event.

Gardiner, 26, will also front the male Kata team together with two of his England teammates after earning the call-up from the vice president of the English Karate Federation and the assistant national coach.

The honour comes after a successful and hard-fought 12 months, where Gardiner took medals in the BKA British Open Championships and Central England Championships, as well as gold at the EKF English Championships.

The chief instructor and founder of Southend Ishinryu Karate will travel with the England team to France for a warm-up event next month before the World Championships the following month.

The Westcliff resident has trained at his clubs in Southend and Chelmsford, and teaches at Kingsdown SEN school to children with disabilities.

He also gives seminars to other athletes looking to rise up the ranks. To contact Gardiner for lessons or sponsorship, email him at jkgardiner@virginmedia.com or visit the clubs Facebook page “Southend Ishinryu Karate”.