Eleven-year-old Jake, from Mirfield, has been selected to represent England at the WKC World Championships.

A young martial artist is celebrating a milestone after he was selected to represent England.

Eleven-year-old Jake, from Mirfield, has been selected to represent England at the WKC World Championships in Cádiz, Spain, this month. Jake and the rest of Team England are due to fly out on October 23 and will compete on the international stage against martial artists from around the world.

For Jake, this is the culmination of years of dedication, determination and hard work, and a moment that means so much to him and his family.

Jake is a First Dan black belt who attends Crossley Fields Junior and Infant School in Mirfield. He began training with X Martial Arts in 2020, at just four years old, and has since developed a real passion for the sport.

His mum Amy said: "Martial arts has helped shape Jake into the disciplined, resilient and hardworking young person he is today. He loves competing and is always striving to improve, while continuing to show humility, respect and good sportsmanship."

Outside martial arts, Jake also plays goalkeeper for Mirfield Juniors U11 Tornados first team and Yorkshire Premier Sport, and enjoys swimming. Despite balancing school, football and other activities, martial arts remains a huge part of his life.

Jake’s journey to representing England has not always been straightforward. When he first trialled for the Team XMA competition squad, he was unsuccessful. At just seven years old, it would have been easy to feel disappointed and give up, but Jake chose to use the experience as motivation.

Six months later, he tried again and earned his place on the squad. His first external competition was the WKKC English Nationals, aged seven and a half, where he proudly won a bronze medal. He was also considered for Team England selection at that stage, but his coaches felt he needed more time to develop.

"Rather than allowing this to discourage him, Jake returned to training with an even stronger determination to improve and prove himself," Amy recalled.

During the past year, his hard work has really begun to pay off. He trains five times a week, attends weekly personal training sessions and travels between X Martial Arts in Wakefield and York to learn from world class instructors. Training alongside talented athletes has pushed him to continually develop his skills, confidence and competitive ability.

Jake also enjoys giving something back to the martial arts community through the XMA Junior SWAT instructor programme, where he supports and encourages younger students.

"When Jake received the news that he had been selected to represent WKKC England at the 2026 WKC World Championships in Cádiz, it was a moment of enormous excitement and pride," said Amy.

Taking part in a world championship overseas comes with significant expenses, including travel, competition uniform and entry costs. Jake and his family say they are incredibly grateful to The Mirfield Educational Charity, which awarded Jake a grant to help towards these costs and make this opportunity more manageable for his family.

"The charity’s support means a great deal to us. It is wonderful to know that local organisations are willing to invest in young people and help them pursue their ambitions. We hope Jake’s story also highlights the difference that this kind of support can make in helping a local child take the next step in their sporting journey."

"As Jake’s mum, watching him work towards this achievement has made me immensely proud. I have seen the highs and lows, the early starts, the training sessions, the sacrifices and the determination he has shown along the way. To see him rewarded with the opportunity to wear the England colours and compete on the world stage is incredibly special."