Taylah Burrowes lifting the trophy after her success at the Sugihara Cup in February. Photo supplied.For local martial artist Taylah Burrowes, a medal from the Sugihara Cup is just another string to her bow.

The 13-year-old competed at the Sugihara Cup in Auckland at the end of February, taking home the gold.

Mum, Karen Burrowes, said it was the first time Taylah had travelled to a competition without the support of her, or her sensei.

“The experience clearly didn’t faze her, and it will be great for her confidence going forward,” she said.

This was the first event of what is a busy year ahead for the brown belt.

She will travel to the New Zealand open in April, Nationals in Wellington and has made herself available for selection for the New Zealand team to travel to the Commonwealth Karate Championships in South Africa.

If Burrowes is selected for the Commonwealth Championships, it will not be her first foray to the event, having competed in India two years ago.

Having been doing karate for five years, and now training four times a week, including national training camps in Auckland, it is a huge commitment.

“Taylah was happy with the result in Auckland,” said Burrowes.

“It is great to see the hard work and training she has put in be rewarded.”

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 10 March 2017