Hannah Rees returned to Wales from Switzerland recently as kumite European Gold Champion. Zurich was 2014's host for the European Shotokan Karate Championships which is a three day event with 20 countries all vying for the ultimate titles. K.U.G.B Team Wales was represented with a strong squad of 21 karateka with their coaches Sensei Kevin O'Neil (kumite and team manager) and Sensei Paul James (kata).

Hannah (17) from Newcastle Emlyn is a former pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, Llandysul and currently studies Sports Coaching, Fitness and Development in Coleg Sir Gar, Llanelli. On day one of the competition Hannah faced strong opposition from Serbia, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark and Sweden and emerged as the winner of the cadet ladies after some very tough rounds. She also achieved a Bronze medal on day two of the tournament for Junior Team Kumite with her fellow team members Natasha Ganderton and Kirsty Smith. Wales placed 6th on the medal table out of the 20 countries with fellow team members Rachel Edwards (junior kata gold), Charlotte Parry (cadet kata silver) and Lloyd Birt (senior bronze) contributing towards it with their medal positions. Families at home in Wales were able to follow the weekend's events with live streaming online and to be a part of the medal ceremony where Team Wales and the supporters sung along passionately to the Welsh National anthem.

It has been almost 30 years since KUGB Wales produced a kumite European Champion, back in 1985 and Hannah is the second only to achieve this prestigious title for Wales.

Hannah trains with the Wales Squad once a month in Merthyr Tydfil with coach Kevin O'Neil and three times a week with Tekki RS Emlyn & Llandysul, instructed by dad Sensei Mike Rees, he says "It's a huge achievement to be crowned European Champion and to put Shotokan Karate on the map in our part of West Wales. I always expect a high standard from my students and to have my own daughter achieve this in such a high level tournament is overwhelming and we are all so proud of her. I'm grateful to the Wales coach for giving her this opportunity and motivating her."