A crowd of more than 100 parents and family members packed into the Somersfield Academy gym for the fifth Budo Cup Kumite Championships last weekend as children from ages five to 11 competed in six different categories.

William Attridge claimed two gold medals in the tournament, first winning the boys’ 11-13 division to retain the title he won last year, although not before being tested by newcomer JP Didyk, who claimed silver.

Attridge then took the gold in the open division when the 2011 silver medallist beat Tyler Furtado who earlier also won the silver in the boys’ 7-8 division. Christiana Warren (7-8 female competitor and 2012 female Open gold medallist) took the bronze against strong male competition.

Attridge, Ravi Watson, Kauai Evans and Ayden Gardener rounded out an exciting division. Earlier, Nico Bean claimed the gold medal in the male five-year-old category while Gunosuke Harigai took the silver and Dylan Pickering the bronze. The male six-year-old category was highly contest with 2012 silver medal winner Christian Warren dominating the division to take the gold, while 2012 gold medallist Khari Sharrieff settled for silver and DaMarli Minors the bronze.

David McDonald also stepped up from a silver medal last year to win the gold in the boys’ 7-8 division by narrowly beating silver medallist Furtado in the final.

In the battle for third place, Kauai Evans edged past Preston Dowling to earn the bronze.

Five competitors battled for the honours in the male 9-10 division where 2010 and 2011 champion Trey Vance narrowly edged out 2012 champion Ravi Watson to win the gold and reclaim the division title. J’Kai Berkeley beat Quayan Watson for the bronze.

Mya Dasilveira beat her rivals to take the gold in the girls’ 5-6 division while Shantia Berkeley won the silver. Christiana Warren as uncontested in the 7-8 division.

An exhibition match between brothers Tyler and Dylan Pickering, aged 3 and 5 respectively, thrilled the crowd as they showed plenty of confidence and determination.

Reuben Bean, president of Jiketsu Martial Productions, said: “I’m extremely pleased with the success of the fifth Budo Cup Kumite Championships.

“Consistent with our philosophy, we aim to set the standard by providing quality events that afford the opportunity for our young athletes to develop and hone their skill sets at a World Karate Federation level. I am pleased that we accomplished our goals on Sunday.”