Sponsored by
Keanu wants England place back after swapping sport for school
A karate ace sacrificed a place in the England squad for the sake of his exams, but now he wants his rightful spot back.
Keanu Mayhew's karate career to a back seat last summer as he strived to pass his GCSE and B-TEC exams.
He lost his place having represented his country three times, and now he hopes to work his way back in.
"I had to take a break because of my GCSEs and an injury - I pulled a muscle in my back" he said.
"My big aim now is to get my place in the squad back.
"It's really fun (fighting for England]. You get to travel the world and help your country out.
"It's a great feeling."
The 17 year old has won more than 80 trophies during 10 years of fighting, beginning with Hemel Hempstead-based Seishinkai Shotokan Karate International and then moving onto Luton club Kizen Central.
Most recently he was part of the men's Kumite team which won gold at the A.M.A. International Open.
He won bronze in the individual event at Sheffield.
This was on the back of Kata gold and Kumite silver at the Toyakwai Greater London Championships in mid-February.
The Cavendish School pupil, who lives on Kings Avenue in Hemel Hempstead, is sponsored by A1 Stretch Limos.
They have helped fund his trips to countries including America, Germany and Romania where he has taken on some of the world's best young fighters.
Should he impress at the next trials in September, then he might just be pulling out his passport a few more times in the years to come.
Keanu Mayhew with three of his ma ssive haul of 80 trophies and medals.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
