KIMBERLEY Stewart is following in her father's high-kicking footsteps - at the age of 14.

The Turton High School pupil has taken first place in a national karate competition and came second in another.

This has earned Kimberley national selection in a world tournament to be held this summer.

Kimberley has trained with her father, Steve Stewart, in the Kimura Shukokai style of karate for the past three years.

Mr Stewart is a 5th Dan Chief Instructor who has competed at national and international level in his 26 years in the sport.

Kimberley was entering only her second competition at national level when she took first place in the Kata and, in the 12 to 15 year-old Girls' Open Grade fighting, came second only to a girl three grades above her own.

Now she has been chosen for the Great Britain team at the Kimura Shukokai World Tournament in New Jersey in August.

Countries attending the prestigious event include Botswana, Canada, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Kimberley is training hard at Bolton Karate Centre each Tuesday, and Thursday nights at Deane Sports Centre. She is also going to train with the national squad at the sport's Birmingham headquarters, under the guidance of the European Chief Instructor, Sensei Eddie Daniels 6th Dan.

Although selection is obviously a great honour for the Bolton girl, competitors have to finance much of the cost of going to the competition.

Kimberley is now working hard at her Saturday job to help raise the money for the US trip.

If anyone can help in her fund-raising, or by sponsorship, she can be contacted through her father on Bolton 301542.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.