RIO Johnson followed medal success at a world championships by repeating the trick on his return to the international stage.

The 10-year-old earned a bronze medal at the World Union of Karate-Do Federation (WUKF) European Championships in Belgium, matching his feat at the governing body's global event last year.

He was one of four students from Winsford and Middlewich Koshido-Ryu Karate Club to return home after standing on the podium.

Dannielle Simpson, Harry King and Bethany Daley are the others.

"Competing at international level is always both daunting and exciting for our students," said Sensei Emily Waring, who runs the club with Sensei Kathryn King.

"They really enjoy the experience of taking part individually, but they go to there as a team with a fantastic spirit.

"To win medals is beyond our expectation, but a fantastic feeling for them as well as us as coaches."

Rio was third in his age group, for all styles of Kata, as was Harry among the under 14s boys.

Bethany took bronze for Kumite in the under 12s girls' category, while Dannielle claimed silver for Kata for under 14s girls.

Clubmates Molly Blears and Jake Daley reached the final in their respective Kata competitions.

It is the second time the club has entered the European Championships following a debut in Sheffield two years ago.

More than 1,200 athletes from 40 federations, spread across 24 countries, took part in the three-day event - for children, cadets and juniors - this time around.

"We're really proud of all the students who competed," added Waring.

They turn their attention now to next year's world championships in Dublin.

Their latest medals-haul continues a successful year after Winsford and Middlewich Koshido-Ryu Karate Club students returned from an International Traditional Karate Association (ITKA) Open, in Liverpool, with two gold, three silver and two bronze gongs.