Cosham karate kids set up their own virtual classes for children to beat lockdown blues

Mark Hague, 10, and his younger brothers, Myles, nine, and Riley, seven, have set up their own YouTube channel to inspire other youngsters to stay active during the lockdown.

The trio of orange belts, from Cosham, are among thousands of children across Portsmouth who have been told not to go to school until the national emergency is over.

The crisis has also forced their Portsmouth-based martial arts club, Bravo Karate, to shut up shop as the deadly virus continues to plague the nation.

But instead of giving up on their beloved sport, the lads have set about recording instructional videos, showing other children how to kick and punch and do certain exercises like press-ups and sit-ups.

And their homemade videos, recorded in the back garden of their home in Old College Walk, have already proved a hit online racking up hundreds of views, leaving the young martial artists thrilled.

Mark, who has led the sessions with Myles, said: ‘I felt like a karate instructor while we were recording it. It felt really great. I’ve really enjoyed it.’

Myles, who attends Highbury Primary School with his brothers, added he loved showing off his moves and hoped other children would enjoy them.

‘I hope that other kids can learn how to do the moves properly and that they have fun doing it,’ he said.

The trio have attended Bravo Karate for the past three years, training three nights a week.

They recently completed their orange belt grading – the fourth belt in the sport.

Meanwhile, Mark is still flying high after bagging a silver medal at the English Karate Federation Kyu Grade Championships in February for his kata – a display of traditional karate moves performed in sequence.

Proud mum Pauline Hague, said her boys were always practising their techniques.

‘They’re literally out there all the time,’ said the 41-year-old. ‘They’re walking through the house doing their karate moves. They can’t get enough of it.

‘But recording these videos has been really good. It’s inspirational, especially with Mark. He used to lack confidence. Now he has completely changed.

‘His karate instructors have done so well with him because his confidence was really low and he was very shy.

‘At his first competition he wouldn’t even get up, he was so nervous. Now he’s come away with a silver medal at his last tournament. It’s amazing.’

Bravo Karate is run by Brazilian couple Anna Carvalho and Rogerio Emerick, who have launched their own online syllabus for their students.

Anna added she was immensely proud of Mark and Myles for recording their own videos and has urged people to give them a watch.

She said: ‘It was a surprise for us when they opened the channel and we are so happy and proud of them.

‘Helping kids during the lockdown, sharing their knowledge of the karate basics is an outstanding act.

‘We are lucky to have them at our club and it is wonderful to see their progress and confidence grow. Their future is definitely bright.’

To see the clips, search for ‘Mark and Myles Basic Karate Moves’ on YouTube.

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