Zara Thompson wins three medals at European Karate Championships in Latvia

Zara Thompson has picked up three European medals at the WUKF European Championships in Latvia.

The North West Shotokan Karate Club member took bronze in the female cadet open weight Kumite and her own weight category as well as collecting silver in the female junior Sanbon team event.

In the 16-17 female open weight event - which included 35 competitors - Thompson, who is coached by Ethan O’Donnell from Strabane, defeated Sophie Paice, a multiple European and World medallist from England.

Thompson defeated Diana Maria Dobrin from Romania and then got over Poland’s Antonina Bernaciak in her quarter-final before losing out to eventual champion Laura Scislowska of Poland in the semi-final phase.

In the 55-55.9kgs event, Thompson overcame Slovakia’s Petra Cabadajova, but fell at the hands of Matylda Wroblewska from Poland in her semi-final.

In the team Sanbon event, the Irish team - including Thompson - took silver medals. It was her first time competing in the junior open weight division.

They defeated Italy and then lost out to Romania. The Irish team included Beibhinn McCole, Riana Ponnurengam, Lily Sheeran and Thompson.