A KARATE expert is swapping Colchester for Africa as he gets set to represent his country at a Commonwealth contest.
Harry Marsden, from Colchester, is a Second Dan black belt, who will be competing in the male team kata event at the Commonwealth Karate Championship.
The contest takes place in Durban, South Africa, later this month.
Karate, unlike many other competitive sports, is self-funded in England, meaning athletes must cover their own training, travel, and competition expenses.
To help Harry manage these costs, he has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a £700 target.
Friends – Harry Marsden with team mates Nathan Crowther and Brandon Crowther (Image: Harry Marsden) Harry is no stranger to high-level competition; he previously won gold at the 10th Commonwealth Karate Championships in Birmingham in 2022, where he represented England in the Male Team Kata.
Talking about his karate journey, Harry said: “I at first started karate training when I was seven years old. I started training with my instructor Kelce Sydes, who I now train alongside at Pro Karate.
“I got my blackbelt when I was 14, and from there I got my first England call at 17. Karate is pretty much all I have been doing all my life.”
Harry is also the current individual Male Senior British Kata Champion, making this an opportunity for him to defend his title on an international stage.
Through his Pro-Karate Academy classes Harry inspires both children and adults in Hertfordshire and Essex to improve their skills, confidence, and physical fitness.
Joanne Storey, a parent of two students in Harry’s classes set up the GoFundMe.
She said: “Harry teaches my daughters who have been training at his karate classes for three and a half years.
“He is an inspirational Sensei, competing at the highest level whilst building confidence and self-belief in children and adults who train with him”.
Harry Marsden (Image: Public) With such a brief preparation period, Harry’s supporters are working quickly to ensure he can travel to Durban and represent England with pride.
Harry said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have been selected. With this being in South Africa, we were a bit deflated as we just got informed and naturally, the preparation has been a bit cramped as its just four weeks till we go out there.
“The next three weeks are entirely blocked out for training. I am really excited to go out there and compete.”
Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities are also encouraged to reach out to Harry directly at [email protected].
To donate visit https://gofund.me/befd0f93.
