Karate star Rudkin-Guillen takes kumite gold and kata bronze at Hungarian Tatami Cup in Budapest

NEW Milton karate star Carla Rudkin-Guillen has made a winning debut in the junior ranks, winning kumite gold and kata bronze at the Hungarian Tatami Cup in Budapest.

The Ballard School student, who trains locally at the Southern England Karate Federation, debuted in the 16-17-year-old category.

Despite not having high expectations for success due to the category jump, Rudkin-Guillen was in excellent form, beating the Slovakian number one in the kumite final, where two competitors face off performing defensive and offensive techniques in a standing competition.

The New Milton teenager followed that up with a battling bronze medal in the junior kata, during which she beat the world number seven from the Czech Republic.

The 16-year-old is working hard in preparation for selection to the 2024 European Karate Championships. Later this month, she will compete in Spain and France in her quest to compete with top internationals in her new category.

Rudkin-Guillen trains in New Milton and Lymington at Southern England Karate Federation (SEKF) by her father, SEKF founder, sixth dan black belt and former England international Collin Rudkin, and her brother Danny, another former England international.

She is also the reigning English and British champion in the kata discipline.