Chloe Lydon won her third successive gold medal in the English Karate Federation National Championships. Picture courtesy of Chadwell Heath Karate Academy.
Karate champion Chloe Lydon has won gold in the English Karate Federation National Championships for the third successive year.
Black belt Chloe, 17, who is ranked 15th in the world for her age and weight , beat Chloe Salisbury at Leicester to win her latest medal, having won the same competition in 2015 and 2016.
Earlier this year she also won gold in the French International Open Championships and competed in the European Karate Federation Championships in Bulgaria, although she was not among the medallists.
“It feels really good to win three gold medals in a row,” said Chloe, on her third gold in the English Karate Federation National Championships.
“It’s not just winning but having to defend your title year after year that makes it harder. You are normally up against the same people and they want to take the medal off you so you have to fight even harder to retain it.
“This is the biggest competition in England and the one you have to win most to get anywhere in the sport. This is up there with my best achievements.”
Chloe is part of the Martial Arts Academy at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), where she is studying a Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.
Her other achievements to date include gold in the British Karate Federation 4 Nations two years running in 2015 and 2016 and silver in the British Karate Federation International Open Championships the same two years. She also won bronze in the World Karate Federation Karate 1 in 2016.
Chloe Lydon in action against Chloe Salisbury in the final of the English Karate Federation National Championships, left, and receiving her gold medal, right. Pictures courtesy of Chadwell Heath Karate Academy.
The Academy, run in partnership with the English Karate Federation, was launched in June 2016 and is coached by World Karate Champion Jordan Thomas.
Chloe, who began taking karate lessons when she was 10, is now focusing on the World Karate Championships, which take place in Tenerife in October.
She said: “The Martial Arts Academy is the reason I chose to come to CONEL.
“Jordan is an excellent coach. I am learning from the best. He helps with motivation and works on fitness and improving techniques. He’s taken me to a new level.”
Asked what makes a karate champion, Chloe added: “It’s hard work and you have to be dedicated and want to achieve. If you do that you will get there.”