AN Orford teenager has been crowned world champion for the third time.

Former Beamont Collegiate Academy pupil Grace Barnett lifted the individual 16-17 years kata (patterned move) title for the England SEKA team at the 11th WUKF World Championships in Dundee.

The 17-year-old, a student at Cronton College in Widnes who is employed part-time by McDonald’s at Gemini, was previously crowned kata and kumite (fighting) world champion in 2019 when she was on Paul Graham’s books at Cheshire Martial Arts Centre, Warrington.

Now she trains with Kensho Karate Club in Newcastle, either in person or online, and has added her world title to the British (kumite) and European (kata) titles that she currently holds.

Barnett fell in love with the sport after first responding to an advert for free karate lessons 10 years ago.

Further down the line she may look into moving into teaching martial arts but she is fully focused on enjoying the competitive side herself at the moment.

The year will continue to be a busy one for Barnett, who is also employed by Sport Works at Orford and Woolston hubs at weekends involving activity sessions for young people with additional needs.

Her sights are on contesting the GB Open in Birmingham in September and then hopefully the European Championships in France in November, with ABBA Taxis helping to support her activities through sponsorship.