Three young karate athletes from the South Cheshire Zenshin Ryu Club are aiming for medal success at the European Championships.
The club has flourished in recent years, receiving support from local employer Mornflake. With classes held at Wyche House Bank in Nantwich and Yoxall Village Hall in Haslington, Zenshin Ryu has gained global recognition and attracted many new members.
Now, three talented youngsters—Thea Heys, Grace Leigh, and Bella-Ashleigh Smethurst—are heading to Poland to compete. All three participated in last year’s World Championships, where Bella, at just nine years old, won gold, and Thea earned silver. Recently, Grace claimed silver at the British Open, while Bella continued her success with two more golds, also being named Everybody Leisure’s Sports Personality of the Year.
Her mother, Natasha-Paris Matthews, a 4th Dan black belt and Chief Instructor of Zenshin Ryu, shared, “Having a big name like Mornflake behind us has really raised our profile. We now have over 50 members and a growing following on Instagram. Even during our holiday in Turkey, people recognized our name, and the girls proudly tell everyone they’re sponsored by the company that ‘Makes Porridge!’ in Crewe.”
The club has received media attention, including interviews on BBC radio and coverage in local press, which has helped highlight the benefits of children’s karate—not just as a competitive sport, but also for building confidence and respect.
Bella and Thea, both black belts (1st Dan), along with Grace, a brown belt, are training diligently for the four-day competition in Pruszkow, Poland, where participants from across Europe will showcase their skills in Kata and Kumite.
Natasha, who holds a world bronze medal, added, “We teach traditional karate with an emphasis on self-defense, including practical scenarios. We’ve seen how this boosts children’s confidence, which reassures parents. Zenshin means ‘progression’ in Japanese, and we witness this growth every week at our club.”
Mornflake has played a vital role in supporting the club and providing breakfast products to fuel the young athletes’ competitive spirit. The family-run business, established in 1675, also supports various local sporting initiatives, including Olympians and local teams like Crewe Alexandra FC and the newly formed girls’ side, Cheshire Blades Pink Panthers.
Managing Director James Lea remarked, “Karate requires a tremendous amount of dedication and discipline, so we commend these young athletes for reaching the prestigious European Championships. We’re pleased to support the club and encourage families to embrace karate as a shared hobby, helping children build confidence along the way.”
