User:Lloyd Birt

In 2002 at the age of 8, Lloyd Birt joined Bargoed Shotokan Karate Club with instructor Kevin O'neill (welsh squad coach). Every 3 months Lloyd did a club grading to gain all of his coloured belts up to brown/2 strips, he achieved full passes through out. Lloyd was very dedicated to his karate right from the beginning. he attended reguarly and his dream was to one day become a chmpion!

Someone who have been there for Lloyd, encoraging him through is karate was his sister Kathryn Birt (She is also a second Dan Black belt). At the age of 11, Lloyds dream became reality. He won his 1st Kata Championship. The Kyu Grades championship was held at prestatyn in March 2005. He was so happy all the hard work had paid off.

In June 2005 Lloyd won the Welsh Championship held at RhydycarLeisure centre Merthyr Tydfil. Lloyd's dad, Stephen Birt, said: " This is an exciting time for us. Kathryn, Lloyd's sister, got her black belt in March, and Lloyd is going for it next month." Mr Birt explained that Lloyd's interest in the martial art developed after he moved from the school where he was being bullied.

July 3rd 2005 Lloyd achieved his 1st Dan Black belt, What a year it was, Kyu Grade champion,Welsh champion and achieving his black belt.

In June 2007 lloyd age 13. of blackwood Comprehensive School won his 3rd championship, and also won the Welsh Championships for the 2nd time. Lloyd beat a host of very strong competitors to gain himself a gold medal and trophy in the Kata category of the martial art. His next ambition was to achieve his 2nd dan Black Belt.

In 2008 It was a very successful day once again for Lloyd Birt when he became Welsh Champion again for the 3rd time. On the same day his sister Kathryn achieved a bronze medal in the senior female kata.

In November 2008 Lloyd passed his 2nd dan. The 15-year old, a member of the bargoed SKC, Showed his expertise during the grading which was conducted by chief KUGB instructor Andy Sherry.

In April 2009. Lloyd had a chance to show his karate skills by performing for staff and pupils at Blackwood Comprehensive School. His sister Kathryn performed together coached by sensei Amanda Ward.

In May 2009, Lloyd won a bronze medal. For a 3rd place in the British Karate Championships, before moving onto the Welsh Championships and becoming the Grand Champion by winning all the catagories. Lloyd Birt has now won 6 National shotokan karate titles after adding two more to his collections.

The 15-year-old 2nd Dan and Welsh squad member, a member of Blackwood Comprehensive School, picked up two golds and teamed up with sister Kathryn to steal a silver in the senior team kata.

8th July 2009, Lloyd was presented with an award by Caerphilly Schools Sport Association recognising his success in Karate. His nomination was put forward by Blackwood Comprehensive School and was presented to him by British Commonwealth Boxing Champion- Nathan Cleverley.

In june 2010 Lloyd Birt, Kai Stroud and sister kathryn Birt teamed together to perform a team kata at the Welsh Championships. They brought home each a gold medal. And Lloyd went up into the next catagory up to perform in the senior catagory, he earned a bronze medal which is exceptional after going up an age level.

On the 22nd of August 2010 Lloyd was selected to be in the Wales team to represent Wales in the European Shotokan Karate Championships. He will be Flyong out to Koblenz Germany on the 26th of November and will be competing on the 27th of November.