Mortlake's karate kid to fight for championship (From Your Local Guardian)

Mortlake's karate kid to fight for championship

7:10am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Richmond

Mortlake’s very own karate kid is preparing to jet off for yet another international fighting competition.

Sophie Santillo, 16, of Mortlake, will fly to Azerbaijan on Tuesday, February 7, to get in some extra training before competing in the European Karate Federation’s Junior and Cadet Championships on Saturday, February 11.

Miss Santillo, who was ranked seventh in the world at the World Karate Federation’s junior world championships in October, has been receiving physiotherapy for a sports related ankle injury over the past month but is looking forward to competing again.

Her mother said: “Sophie had a really bad ankle injury at Christmas so it has been touch and go up until now.

“She is nervous as it is her first tournament this year but at the end of the day we are so proud of her however she does.”