GILWERN Karate club’s Rhiannon Rogers showed a lot of heart and determination to battle through a leg injury and take gold at the Continental Cup Championships in Belgium.

Rogers, who is an assistant instructor at the club, was just one of over 500 competitors from 20 European countries who descended on Hesselt in Belgium earlier this month to test her mettle and stake her claim.

Rogers has been competing internationally for five years and she trained extremely hard prior to the event.

Six weeks out she had some very bad luck and tore her calf muscle.

Her coach Matt Stockham told the Chronicle, “Rhiannon’s injury was terrible timing but with intensive physiotherapy and acupuncture she was as close to recovered as possible.

“Normally I would’ve pulled her out of the competition but I knew she was retiring after these Championships so we had to give it a go.”

Rogers who was competing in the Kumite (fighting) categories was in a league of her own in the 61 kgs and above event.

She went through each opponent without conceding a point and reached the final where she faced a much taller opponent from Denmark.

This didn’t phase Rogers who gave a memorable performance to go 4-0 up and take the gold for Wales.

There was a small time to celebrate her win before she had to focus her mind and body on the Open Weight event.

Once again a potent combination of fire and skill saw Rogers through to the final where she went head to had and toe to toe with an opponent from the Ukraine.

Rogers went 1-0 up and all appeared to be going to plan and then - disaster! As she swept her opponent to the floor and followed through with a punch for another point, Rogers collapsed in pain. Her calf had torn again and she was in agony.

Coach Stockham explained, “Her old injury had come back to haunt her. And even though there was only 30 seconds remaining in a fight she was winning, we had no option but to think about pulling her out.

“Rhiannon wasn’t having any of it though. Although she was finding it hard to stand she was still ready to fight. She battled hard for the next few seconds and thankfully held out for another gold.”

The relieved coach added, “Rhiannon showed pure heart and determination to win those fights. she’s a born leader and role model for all Karateka. The whole club would like to congratulate her and wish her a happy retirement. She’s certainly bowed out in style.”

Gilwern karate club train every Tuesday and Thursday in Gilwern Village Hall. For more info contact Matt Sensei by text on 07813553868.