High karate: World No.1 on her sport’s surging popularity and why all young girls should learn to love teenage kicks

A high-kicking, fast-chopping TV revival and karate’s imminent debut at the Tokyo Olympics means the sport’s popularity is surging – and Niamh Junner is not at all surprised.

As the world number one in her age group, Niamh is thrilled interest is booming thanks to Netflix series Cobra Kai.

The Karate Union of Great Britain reports rising numbers wanting to become real-life karate kids and, while lessons are online-only for now, the 19-year-old hopes to inspire other young women to take up the sport, whether or not they’re fans of the hit show.

“Real karate is obviously a bit different to Cobra Kai – everyone always asks if you can do a flying back kick and things like that,” said Niamh, who tops the world under-21 rankings.

“It’s good, though, that awareness is out there. They say martial arts is one of the best things you can do because it’s such a full-body workout. You’re learning a bit of self-defence as well. It’s great, especially for younger ones after Covid.

“A lot of them will have missed all their hobbies but there’ll be opportunities to try something new and it’s definitely something they should have a go at.

“That’s where everyone starts, all the world champions, just coming along and throwing a kick or a punch.”

Niamh, from Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, said it was “mind-blowing” to emulate her heroes by reaching the heights of a sport she took up aged eight.

“I never thought when I started competing that I’d reach world number one,” she said. “When it actually happened, it was just a ‘wow’ moment; I’d idolised everybody who was number one for years. The fact that I’m now actually here is unbelievable.”

Reaching the top has been a long and tough journey. Always sporty, Niamh had tried everything from dancing to swimming, hockey and football. Her younger brother had taken up karate, but she preferred to stand at the side and watch. Eventually, though, she decided to give it a go and hasn’t looked back since.

“I was rubbish when I started! I couldn’t really kick or punch,” she recalled. “When I started training to fight and compete and started to do well, my love just grew and grew for it.”

Niamh joined the highly respected Shitokai Karate Club in Renfrew aged 13. In 2019, she won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Chile and last year claimed silver at the European Continental Championships in Hungary.

“I decided to go for it and chase that number one spot,” she said. “It was doable. I got to the final in Hungary, beating the world champion in the semi-final.

“When the points came back from the championships, I was number one. It’s been a long time coming and a lot of defeats, ups and downs to get there. It’s been a progression, definitely not an overnight thing.”

Before Covid, Niamh was training six or seven times a week in the run up to the championships. “I’d have normal training during the week and on a Saturday and then national team training with the Scotland squad at the weekend,” she said.

“Some days I was training twice a day, gym sessions as well as karate sessions. It was very full-on but that’s what needed to be done in order to compete at the highest level.”

Just as she idolised her predecessors, Niamh now hopes to become a role model for a younger generation.

Now studying anatomy at Glasgow University, she hopes to help inspire girls to follow their aspirations and have faith in their abilities to achieve them.

“When you look at karate, you think of Karate Kid and guys fighting and sparring, but it’s really good to try to promote it to younger girls,” she explained.

“With things like body image and everything, it’s just about having a bit more confidence in themselves, to be independent and have a bit more belief. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve got from karate – my self-confidence and that belief that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Niamh points to countless physical and mental health benefits. Growing up, karate helped her switch off from exams and focus on something other than schoolwork.

“It was such a release,” she said. “If I was ever annoyed about something, I could take out my anger. It was always something I could look forward to, no matter what happened or if I was stressed, I knew it was a safe place to go to express myself, enjoy it and get better at it.”

The pandemic came at an unfortunate time for Niamh’s career, but she’s determined to keep the momentum going, as soon as restrictions allow her to return to the dojo.

“I was on such a roll from Chile and Hungary,” she said. “The week we went into lockdown I was meant to fly to Azerbaijan to compete in the senior European Championships but they were cancelled.

“2020 was supposed to be one of the best years of my career, the way it started off, so it was a big knock-back to not get any of it. But becoming number one turned my year on its head a bit.”

The European Championships scheduled for May are touch and go, but Niamh hopes to compete in August at the under-21s event. After that the goal is the senior World Championships, due to be held in Dubai in November. Niamh said: “There have been no competitions for over a year so it’s just about trying to get back on to the competition scene and get to go abroad and compete again.”

Niamh hailed her parents, who are both black-belts themselves, for their unstinting support.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without my mum and dad,” she said. “Before I could drive, they were taking me everywhere for training and competitions. They’re also my financial backers right now. I have a part-time job but the competitions and travel are so frequent.

“Without them I definitely wouldn’t be able to firstly go but to also win. They’re so supportive, there were times I’d say I was quitting after a really bad session or couldn’t be bothered but they’d always encourage me to go.

“Looking back now to when I was 14, 15 they were such an influence on my career. I can now do it myself because I’ve learned how to, but back then without them I don’t think I’d still be doing karate. I’d probably have chucked it and tried something else.”