7 Year Old TKF student Emily Norris has been making headlines all over the country, after she won a bronze medal in the Kickmaster event at the TKF Club Competition in December last year. She has also recently passed her Red Belt grading. These successes are particularly remarkable because Emily was born with a very rare genetic condition which meant that she had to have 70pc of her right lung removed before her first birthday. Emily also had her right kidney removed when she was three years old and has undergone four major operations. Emily’s rare condition also results in low weight gain so she needed a feeding tube until she was 5 and half.
The bright and enthusiastic youngster was first introduced to karate at one of the TKF after-school clubs. It wasn’t long before Emily was keen to join her brother, Jake, at one of the TKF classes during the week. Suddenly, she went from training just once a week to even three times a week. It was always clear that she was full of energy, confident and doesn’t let any challenge obstruct her from training. Sensei Jake Pointer said “Emily is a pleasure to teach and just excludes happiness and joy to everyone around her. She is always hard working and is doing fantastically well in her weekly training sessions”.
Emily is proof that no matter how much life throws at you, you can always kick it right back in its face and show what you are capable of. We are so proud to have Emily as part of our club.
You can see a full article of Emily Norris in the EDP.